Crime and Injury Report 01.08.14

Collisions & Injuries

Longview man struck while walking across I-5

A Longview man has been hospitalized after running into traffic on I-5 near Vader Dec. 28, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The 38-year-old pedestrian had been seen leaving the median of I-5 near Milepost 58, east of Vader, and running west in front of a utility van driven by a 31-year-old Winlock man.

The pedestrian reportedly made it to the southbound ditch, but then re-entered the freeway and was struck by the van.

When ambulance crews arrived, the man was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital with unspecified injuries. It was not stated what his motives may have been for entering traffic, and it was unknown at the time of the report if drugs or alcohol had been involved.

The driver has not been charged in the matter and was able to drive the van from the scene.

Speed injures four in Winlock-area collision

Four local residents were injured in a Winlock-area collision Saturday for which speed has been blamed as the cause, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

A 2000 Saturn GL being driven northbound on N. Military Rd. by Colby A. Ryan, 26, of Toledo, failed to slow down at the intersection with Koontz Rd., northeast of Winlock, with Ryan attempting to stop suddenly and driving the vehicle into the embankment.

Ryan and three passengers, a 17-year-old female from Chehalis, a 17-year-old female from Toledo and a 19-year-old male from Toledo, reportedly suffered minor injuries and were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital for medical attention. The Saturn was considered a total loss.

Ryan was subsequently cited for speeding too fast for conditions and failing to stop at a stop sign, while the 19-year-old male was cited for failing to wear a seatbelt.

Arrests & Referrals

DUI suspect arrested after pursuit by caller

A local woman was arrested for DUI near Winlock Dec. 29 following a cat-and-mouse encounter with a reporting party, according to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.

Esmeralda Manzo, 39, of Chehalis, was cited after someone had observed her driving erratically on N. National Ave., in Chehalis, and called to report a possible DUI.

The caller then followed Manzo out of the city and reported several near-collisions by Manzo, and eventually observed her pulling over and beginning to closely follow the caller's vehicle.

Law enforcement eventually located Manzo on the 200 block of Pleasant Valley Rd., north of Winlock, and observed her crossing the fog line multiple times. They pulled her over for DUI and, though she denied drinking any intoxicating liquor, deputies described the odor or alcohol coming from her person and administered standard field sobriety tests, which Manzo failed.

At the station, she blew less than the state standard for intoxication (0.08 BAC) but was still cited and released for DUI given her clear inability to safely operate a vehicle.

Winlock man booked after allegedly choking wife

A Winlock man has been booked after allegedly choking his wife during an argument Friday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua T. Strobel, 23, was contacted by deputies after his wife, a 25-year-old Winlock woman, called to report Strobel had started a verbal argument with her at their home on the 100 block of Harkins Rd., east of Winlock, and then put his hands on her throat and began choking her until she could not breath.

Strobel had reportedly fled the scene by the time deputies arrived but was later contacted and booked into the Lewis County Jail for domestic assault, second degree.

Ongoing Investigations

Those with information about ongoing investigations are encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (360) 740-1266 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-748-6422.

Toledo burglary still unsolved

Authorities are seeking help investigation a burglary taking place in the Toledo area back in November, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Between Nov. 11 and 25, a property at the end of Coleman Rd. was burglarized and a 40 HP Briggs and Stratton motor, including the fuel tank, battery and hydro pump. The estimated loss is more than $8,000 and those with information are encouraged to contact law enforcement.

Area home burgled while under construction

Authorities are seeking help investigation a burglary taking place in the Chehalis area back in November, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Between 12 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 24, a residence under construction on the 200 block of Harold Dr. was burglarized and multiple items were taken, to include five Newport interior cherry doors, four white particle board shelves for kitchen cabinets, 300 feet of three-and-one-quarter-inch cherry trim baseboard, 17 brushed nickel doorknobs, and a Whirlpool range, dishwasher and microwave and hood (all black with stainless steel). The estimated loss is more than $3,000.