[1]Courtesy photo by WSP
Updated at 7:58 p.m. and on Monday December 17, 2012 at 2:55 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A head-on collision on U.S. Highway 12 at Denmark Street in Rochester this afternoon sent four adults to area hospitals.
A man and a woman in the victim car sustained serious injuries, according to responders. Angela M. Saxon, 40, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and Eric W. Saxon, 41, was taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital, according to West Thurston Regional Fire Authority. Both are from Rochester, according to the Washington State Patrol.
A man and a woman in a van with less serious injuries were taken to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to Fire Lt. Eric Smith.
Washington State Patrol spokesperson Trooper Guy Gill said the van crossed the centerline and hit the car. It happened about 3 p.m.
J. Vidal Dominguez Mireles, 54, was driving a 1993 GMC van eastbound when he went into the oncoming lane to avoid stopped traffic, according to the state patrol. His passenger was Rita S. Dominguez, 54, of Warden, according to the state patrol.
Both the van and the 2008 Dodge Avenger were described as totaled.
Smith said Rochester-area firefighters were joined by firefighters from Oakville and Centralia because of the number of patients and prolonged extrication work with the Jaws of Life.
Trooper Gill said Eric Saxon was transported to Harborview Medical Center. A news release from the state patrol said he was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital, and the fire lieutenant at the scene said he was taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital.
The state patrol blames speed and inattention on the part of Dominguez Mireles.
The roadway was blocked with a detour in place until about 6:45 p.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.
Update at 2:55 p.m. on Monday December 17, 2012: Angela M. Saxon was listed in critical condition at mid-day today at Harborview, according to a hospital spokesperson. Eric Saxon was listed in good condition this morning at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.
Rita S. Dominguez was still at Providence Centralia Hospital this morning in fair condition. J. Vidal Dominguez Mireles was treated at Providence Centralia and then transferred to another unspecified hospital.
[2]Courtesy photo by WSP