By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
An Onalaska man was jailed after his vehicle carrying four children wrecked near Riffe Lake yesterday evening, ejecting one of the youngsters.
Troopers and aid were called just before 6 p.m. to the single-vehicle collision on Swofford Road about a mile east of Mossyrock, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The driver, Fano P. Tofaeono, 30, of Onalaska, a 25-year-old female passenger and her three children sustained little or no injury, but a 10-year-old boy was taken to Morton General Hospital, according to responders.
The boy had multiple lacerations to his lower legs, requiring stitches, according to the state patrol.
Tofaeono was traveling northbound on Swofford Road when his vehicle left the roadway to the right and came to rest nose-down in the ditch, according to the investigating trooper.
Two of the children were not seat belted – the one who fell out was riding in the rear cargo area of the Toyota Forerunner, according to the state patrol. The vehicle was described as totaled.
Passenger Antonia R. Leal, 25, and her girls – ages 6, 3, and 1 – are also from Onalaska, according to the state patrol.
The 10-year-old boy, also from Onalaska, is a relative of Leal’s, according to Lewis County Fire District 3.
The state patrol concluded that drugs or alcohol were involved., but did not elaborate.
Tofaeono was arrested for vehicular assault and booked into the Lewis County Jail.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter