[1]Plymouth Breeze rests against tree after two occupants are extricated. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 1
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A pair of 14-year-old boys who took a parents car joy riding yesterday were hospitalized with serious injuries after they slammed into a tree northeast of Onalaska.
Authorities said they were going so fast, the impact left the tree against the dashboard.
Deputies and members of three fire departments responded to the 4:25 p.m. call to the 200 block of Griel Road; the Jaws of Life were used because they were trapped.
“It took a long time to get the car opened up to get them out, especially the passenger,” Lewis County Fire District 1 Chief Mark Conner said.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said a trooper estimated they were traveling at a very high rate, well above the posted 40 mph speed limit. The 1997 Plymouth Breeze left the roadway and traveled through a wooden bus shack before hitting the tree, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said.
Both were airlifted from the field at Onalaska High School, according to Conner.
The passenger suffered several broken bones in his lower extremities, Brown said. Conner said he was flown to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, and also had cuts to his face.
The airbags deployed so they were fortunate with no obvious head injuries, Conner said, but both boys had suspected internal injuries.
The driver was delivered to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, the fire chief said. He got an update this morning that the driver has liver, kidney and lung lacerations.
Brown said the boys had been home alone so the parents were unaware they took the car out. She said a neighbor reported seeing them pass her home twice at an extremely high rate.
The teens are from Onalaska, and Brown reported they took their parents car, but said she didn’t know specifically if they are brothers or just friends.
The collision remains under investigation.