Photo by Pacific County Fire District 3 - Local fire departments rescue a trapped victim of a single car accident.
On Dec. 7 a 2000 Honda CRZ driven by 29 year old Cosmopolis resident Brenton Keller was traveling southbound on Highway 101 when his vehicle lost control, crossed the centerline, and crashed according to the Washington State Patrol. The vehicle crashed down an embankment and struck a tree according to the Raymond Fire Department.
The Herald was able to speak to Raymond Fire Chief Todd Stroyzk about the rescue. He stated, "At Approximately 5:44 a.m. yesterday morning we were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident north of town. Just north of Walsh St. which is just up from Butte Creek Rd. When our guys got there the vehicle was over an embankment about 30 yards down. The patient was still in the car and required extrication."
He Continued, "We used the Jaws of Life and battery powered equipment. The guys had a prolonged extrication which took them about 20 minutes to get the guy out of the car because the car was so far down the embankment."
The Chief continued, "the driver had some injuries from the motor vehicle accident. So we transported him to Willapa Harbor Hospital and he was stable for the most part. There were no life threatening injuries."
The Chief continued, "outside of just taking a little bit extra time to get the guy out because it was so far down the embankment our crews did an outstanding job getting the patient stabilized and taken to the hospital."
Raymond responded with two ambulances and Fire District 3 responded with an engine and command vehicle. In total 11 firefighters responded to the call. According to the Washington State Patrol report no drugs or alcohol are suspected and it appears the driver was simply driving too fast for road conditions. Weather reports for the morning showed temperatures near or below freezing and there were reports of ice on the roadways.
This is an eerie reminder that winter has arrived and near or below freezing temperatures should be expected over the next several months. Even if the road looks clear there still may be a possibility of black ice on the roadways that drivers cannot see. Make sure to allow yourself adequate time for travel and drive safely for road conditions.