Archive for the ‘Top story of the day’ Category

Deputies from officer involved shooting names released

Friday, March 8th, 2019

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office released the names of the two deputies involved in the fatal shooting on Rainey Creek Road near Glenoma over the weekend; they are Deputy Robert Nelson and Reserve Deputy Mark Anders.

The sheriff’s office has said they both opened fire upon a man who pointed a weapon at them as they attempted to take him into custody for a warrant about 1:15 a.m. on Sunday on a dead end road.

Nelson, 52, has been a deputy with the sheriff’s office for more than 24 years. Reserve Deputy Anders, 63, was sworn in as a reserve deputy three years ago and has been a support volunteer with the office for nine years, according to sheriff’s Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey.

The shooting is being investigated by a multi-agency team comprised of detectives from four nearby sheriff’s offices plus the Washington State Patrol. Its report will be turned over to Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer who will evaluate to determine if the shootings were justified.

Meyer will be reviewing the incident under the new police use of deadly force law, I-940, passed by voters in November.

Both deputies remain on administrative leave, according to Kimsey. Once Meyer makes his findings, the sheriff’s office will conduct an internal investigation, as per standard protocol.

According to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office initial information, the two law enforcement officers were on patrol when they contacted a man in a “suspicious” parked vehicle, and learned he he had a no-bail warrant out of Pierce County for first-degree child rape and two counts of second-degree child molestation. The man brandished and pointed a weapon at them, according to the sheriff’s office.

Robert D. Richardson, 40, from Graham, died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod.

Prosecutor Meyer said he doesn’t have a timeline as to when he will receive the team’s report.
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For background, read “Coroner: Man shot dead by deputies is from Pierce County” from Wednesday March 6, 2019, here

Coroner: Man shot dead by deputies is from Pierce County

Wednesday, March 6th, 2019

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Coroner’s Office this morning said the man shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies over the weekend near Glenoma is identified as 40-year-old Robert D. Richardson, of Graham.

Richardson died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to Coroner Warren McLeod.

A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy and reserve deputy fired their duty weapons at Richardson when he brandished and pointed a weapon at them on the 100 block of Rainey Creek Road around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, according to the initial information released by the sheriff’s office. The shooting is being investigated by a a multi-agency team comprised of detectives from four nearby sheriff’s offices plus the Washington State Patrol.

According to Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey, the two law enforcement officers were on patrol when they contacted a man in a “suspicious” vehicle parked on a dead-end road. They learned he had a no-bail warrant out of Pierce County for first-degree child rape and two counts of second-degree child molestation, and when they asked him to step out of his vehicle, he pointed a weapon at them, prompting them to shoot at him.

The deputies were placed on administrative leave.

A review of superior court cases in Pierce County shows charges filed and a warrant issued early last month for a man of the same name.
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For background, read “Sheriff’s Office: Wanted man points weapon, gets shot” from Tuesday March 5, 2019, here

Sheriff’s Office: Wanted man points weapon, gets shot

Tuesday, March 5th, 2019

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An autopsy was scheduled for today on a man shot and killed by deputies who say he pointed a weapon at them when they attempted to detain him on a warrant related to child sex crimes, on a dead-end road in East Lewis County.

It happened about 1:15 a.m. on Sunday in between Glenoma and Randle, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy and reserve deputy involved were placed on administrative leave per protocol while the investigation takes place, according to sheriff’s Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey.

According to Kimsey, the two were on patrol when they located a suspicious vehicle parked on the 100 block of Rainey Creek Road. When they checked the sole occupant’s driving status, they also learned he had a no-bail warrant  out of Pierce County for first-degree child rape and two counts of second-degree child molestation, Kimsey said in a press release.

As deputies requested the man to step out of the vehicle, the man brandished and pointed a weapon at the deputies, according to Kimsey.

Both deputies fired their duty weapons at the man, to end the threat, Kimsey stated. Aid was rendered, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation into the shooting is being conducted by a multi-agency Critical Incident Investigation Team. CIIT is comprised of investigators from Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, as well as the Washington State Patrol. Kimsey would not specify what sort of weapon the deceased had used.

The Lewis County Coroner’s Office is responsible for releasing the name of the deceased.

Six injured, two dead after wreck near White Pass

Monday, February 25th, 2019

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A woman and her 10-year-old passenger were killed when their vehicle crossed the centerline and struck head-on another vehicle carrying five children on U.S. Highway 12 about 10 miles east of Packwood over the weekend.

The youngsters, ages 4, 6, 9, 10 and 13, were transported to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Their driver, 36-year-old Jamie L. Hudson, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the Washington State Patrol. They live in Selah, according to the state patrol.

Troopers called about 2 p.m. on Saturday to the wreck near milepost 141 described both sport utility vehicles as totaled. It happened just east of state Route 123, about 10 miles before White Pass.

Jonna R. Rane, 39, from London, England, and Stephen J. Rane, from Kirkland, died at the scene, according to authorities. The Lewis County Coroner’s Office reported today the boy lives in Bothell.

Rane was behind the wheel of a 2017 Ford Escape traveling eastbound and crossed into the oncoming lane, the state patrol reports. The investigating trooper indicated it was unknown if the two had been wearing seat belts. Hudson and her passengers had been headed westbound in a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. They were all buckled in, according to the state patrol.

The cause of the collision is under investigation, but no criminal charges are expected.

Human remains found off Centralia-Alpha Road belong to Centralia woman

Wednesday, February 20th, 2019

Updated

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Coroner’s Office said this morning the body found earlier this month southeast of Chehalis has been identified as a 44-year-old Centralia woman.

Deputies were called about 10 a.m. on Feb. 3 by a person who said he found human remains while he was looking for recyclable refuse near the 1900 block of Centralia-Alpha Road, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. An investigation into what happened as well as who the deceased was commenced. The sheriff’s office released very little information about the case.

Coroner Warren McLeod said his office sent the body to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to conduct the autopsy, because they have the resources to learn more, faster than McLeod’s office.

Trina L. Landry, 44, who was homeless but also had a past address in Centralia, was identified by finger prints, according to McLeod. The case is being investigated as a suspicious death, McLeod said. Her next-of-kin have been notified, he said.

The coroner said he is still waiting to learn the cause of Landry’s death.

A woman of the same name and age is mentioned as being picked up on outstanding municipal court warrants by Centralia police as recently as mid-December.

The sheriff’s office declined to take any questions today, saying it is still a very active investigation.
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For background, read “REMAINS DISCOVERED IN RURAL LEWIS COUNTY – Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup” from Wednesday February 6, 2019, here

Male found dead along I-5 near Toledo

Thursday, February 7th, 2019

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death after highway workers came upon a vehicle on the shoulder of southbound Interstate 5 near Toledo occupied by a person who appeared to have trauma to his head yesterday.

Deputies and troopers dispatched about 5:15 p.m. were able to gain entry to the secured vehicle and determine the male was deceased, according to the sheriff’s office. He was described as the sole occupant. The scene was near milepost 60.

The sheriff’s office this morning says they are not seeking any other involved individuals but ask for anyone with possible information to contact them.

The cause and manner of death, as well as the male’s identity, are under investigation.

Persons with information may call the sheriff’s office at 360-748-9286 or Lewis County Communications at 360-740-1105.

Woman dead following Centralia house fire

Saturday, January 26th, 2019
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Crews were still on the scene of a residential structure fire just before 9:40 p.m. on Friday. / Courtesy photo by Riverside Fire Authority

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A senior citizen pulled from a house fire in Centralia last night was subsequently pronounced dead at Providence Centralia Hospital, according to authorities.

Crews responding to an 8:15 p.m. call to the two-story residence on the 1300 block of West Main Street arrived to find a “working fire,” according to Riverside Fire Authority.

The 69-year-old woman who was the only occupant at the time was removed and transported to the hospital in critical condition, according to the fire department. In a press release distributed shortly after 1:30 a.m. today, the fire department said she was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her name has not been released.

RFA was assisted by personnel from the Chehalis Fire Department, Lewis County Fire District 6, West Thurston Regional Fire Authority and the Centralia Police Department.

The damage to the home was described as heavy. The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Fire Capt. Scot Weinert.