News brief: Two truck wreck in I-5 construction zone

Updated at 8:35 a.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Two people were injured when a Freightliner van slowed for traffic on northbound Interstate 5 in Centralia last night and a semi truck unable to stop in time slammed into its back end.

Troopers called just before midnight to the area near milepost 81 report the driver of the 2015 Freightliner tractor-trailer combination, Satwinder Singh, 30, from Everett, was not injured.

It happened in an area where one lane was closed for construction.

But the occupants of the van, both from California, were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the Washington State Patrol. They are the driver, Ruben Martinez-Puente, 31, from Hollister; and Kelly M. Reed, 46, from Sebastopol, according to the state patrol.

They were able to pull over and neither truck rolled or lost any of its load, fortunately, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

Fire Capt. Kevin Curfman said the occupants of the California van said their cargo was “10,000 government rats and mice.”

Curfman didn’t see the rodents, but was told they’d be fine while the pair went to the hospital, as they had food and water.

“Beyond that, I have no idea,” Curfman said as to where the animals were headed or why. “I’m just glad it wasn’t wide open and rodents running everywhere.”

The damage to the vehicles was described by the state patrol only as “reportable.” Both were towed.

The investigating trooper blames the wreck on inattention and following too closely.

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