News brief: Two hurt in separate motorcycle incidents

Updated

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  A motorcyclist was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle today after a wreck along the 100 block of Hewett Road southeast of Chehalis.

Members of Lewis County Fire District 6 responded to the approximately noontime crash to find the motorcycle had left the roadway into the vegetation and the patient had chest injuries, according to a district spokesperson.

The patient was transported by ambulance to a nearby privately owned landing strip where he was transferred to the care of the AirLift Northwest crew, spokesperson Firefighter DJ Hammer indicated.

It happened near Steveson Road. The 64-year-old Chehalis man initially was said to not have been wearing a helmet, but it turned out he was, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Meanwhile a motorcyclist speeding down Interstate 5 last night who laid down his motorcycle before colliding with the underside of a semi truck was listed in satisfactory condition this morning.

Troopers notified about 9:40 p.m. had been chasing the 1998 Honda VTR1000 southbound for an unknown reason, according to the Washington State Patrol.

State Patrol spokesperson Trooper Dave Bourland said the pursuit had been terminated prior to the accident.

It ended near milepost 59 outside of Vader. The southbound lanes were partially closed until 2 o’clock this morning.

Michael B. Hills, 38, of Kelso, was transported to  PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver for treatment, the investigating trooper reports. At midmorning, Hills remained in the intensive care unit, but was in satisfactory condition, a hospital spokesperson said.

Hills is to be arrested for driving under the influence as well as eluding, according to the state patrol.

He was wearing a helmet and did have a motorcycle endorsement, the state patrol reports.

Bourland had no further details such as where the pursuit began or why.
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CORRECTION: This news story has been updated to correctly reflect the motorcyclist in the Hewett Road  wreck was wearing a helmet. Incorrect information had been provided by the sheriff’s office.

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