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Man hospitalized after motorcycle/vehicle collision in Kelso

Thursday, July 17, 2008 12:06 AM PDT

By Amy M.E. Fischer

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A Cowlitz County man wrecked his motorcycle in East Kelso on Wednesday night and was LifeFlighted to a Portland hospital.

Kelso police said they would not release the man’s name until his family was notified.

Kelso Police Sgt. Darr Kirk missed seeing the motorcycle smash into a car at the intersection of Minor Road and Mount Brynion Road at 8:52 p.m. by just a few seconds.

Kirk had been staked out on traffic patrol near Cowlitz View Memorial Gardens when a motorcycle blew past him on Mount Brynion Road at about 75 mph, Kirk said Wednesday night.

The posted speed limit was 35 mph. Kirk pulled out to pursue the motorcycle, which already had disappeared. Kirk radioed the chase into dispatch.

Then, “from several hundred yards away, I heard the collision,” Kirk said. “I came over the hill and the driver of the vehicle was already out of the vehicle walking up to the bike.”

Although the biker was wearing a helmet, he wasn’t wearing leathers. The man’s injuries were “pretty severe,” but he was conscious and responsive, said Kirk, who estimated the man to be in his 20s.

An off-duty emergency worker who happened to be nearby started cutting off the biker’s clothes, and an ambulance quickly arrived, Kirk said. A LifeFlight helicopter was dispatched to St. John Medical Center.

Kirk didn’t know the man’s hometown but said he was a Cowlitz County resident.

The other vehicle’s driver was a Castle Rock man, and he was not injured, Kirk said.

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TINKLE wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:13 AM:

" That intersection has always been bad. You cannot see when people are coming off Mt Brynion. And speeding on Mt Brynion has always been an issue! "

bradybunch816 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:27 AM:

" On our way home last night, we happend upon this. My heart sank. By the looks of it I knew it had to be a fatality. I pray for all those involved. Talk about all the right people around at the most critical time. My heart goes out to all the emergency crew, I had a hard time sleeping last night, just seeing the aftermath, and they see this day in and day out. "

imlovinit wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:43 AM:

" How lucky for him Sgt Kirk & the emt were so close when this happened. "

dee wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:21 AM:

" I lived on minor rd for 7 years and there were several wreaks on the intersection I really think they should make it a four way stop and put speed bumps on minor rd people fly down that road to. so please help people lets make that intersection safe. What if you or your faimly got in a wreak there? "

Beer&Skittles wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:24 AM:

" I saw the accident too. If it hadn't been for the officer and the EMT, the guy wouldn't have made it. There was NO lag time in response - at all. That said, CAN WE PLEASE GET A STOP SIGN ON THE WESTBOUND LANE OF MT.BRINION? It's freakin' blind there. I've lived here 10 years and have seen so many accidents there, and three times as many near misses. Two cars have been hit so hard they rolled over for heaven's sake. It's virtually always because someone's coming off Mt. Brinion like a bat outta he!!. HELP! PLEASE! "

nickandholly wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:21 AM:

" Some sort of traffic control is definately needed at this intersection. I don't know how many times I have almost been hit at this intersection. It is horrible. And when people speed in makes it even worse because nobody has time to stop and try to avoid an accident. So to the city of Kelso Please get some stop signs or something at this intersection before someone dies. "

Cheney119 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:57 AM:

" I hope he recovers from the injuries quickly. 75 mph in a 35 mph zone though? I don't care what traffic control you install. Operating a motorcycle like that is wreckless and irresponsible. "

Silly Billy wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:20 PM:

" Yes, definitely need some kinda traffic control sign/light. I don;t know how many times I've come barreling down Mt. Brynion and almost tagged someone... "

coneejo wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:37 PM:

" OH my Gosh!! I drove by this wreck last night also!! At first I thought it was a large dog in the road, I saw the cop cars, and it was dark, I couldn't tell what the heck that was in the road up ahead. As I was about 6 feet or so from leaving the overpass, I saw a small rear-view mirror on the ground (WAY over there!!). As I got closer it occurred to me that it was a motorcycle. I also got that sick feeling, by the looks of the motorcycle (was hard to even tell what it was), I couldn't imagine that the driver was alive. Thank God he is in good hands now and still alive. My heart aches for the family!! I know what its like to lose someone in an accident!!! In their case, the devistation you must feel when you don't know the full outcome yet. He and his family are in my prayers. And hopefully we know that most 20-somethings think they are INVINCIBLE, he will learn something from this. I agree on the 4 way stop there! I don't know how many times I have pulled out to go left over the freeway and someone comes barrelling around that corner!! SCAREY!!!! I get VERY anxious EVERYTIME I am at that intersection. Someone start a petition! I will sign!!! How much can a few stop signs cost anyway????? "

Rocko wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:59 PM:

" It would make sense to install a gate across the road. it would have to be able to withstand about 8 tons @ 75 mph. stop signs and speed bumps have failed time and time again. they are not rated to stop law breaking, careless drivers. another idea would be to install a jersy laberynth system.
Hopefully the kid will be alright. makes me think of all the times that I've done stupid stuff like that and came away unscaved. I think driver education needs to be looked at. oh yah! theres alot that goes into adding stop signs. you cant just stick it in the ground and call it good. it takes a bit of time and money to do this. its funny that people are so quick to put blame (all or some) on the traffic control. ie. stop signs or bumps.
i think the desicion to go 75 mph prob. was 99.9% of the cause. "

dee wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:03 PM:

" I did some calling and put in a request for a stop sign on mt. brynion so hopefully they will do it. "

98626 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:25 PM:

" From a dear friend.. I Love you bro.. My prayers are with you and your family!! God Bless "

TINKLE wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:14 PM:

" YES ROCKO, it did have to do with him being reckless but people are just saying its a bad intersection not blaming the accident on the road. "

#1nana wrote on Jul 17, 2008 5:50 PM:

" I feel that it is very necessary to have a 4 way stop or speed bumps, we have lived on minor rd for years and there is a wreak once a year.I look twice before driving acrossed that intersection. I would love for the cops to sit at my drive way and catch all those people speeding I am positive they would make their quote for the month and then the city could afford the stop signs "

mrs.cravits wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:21 PM:

" I have lived on Minor Rd since 1990 I have seen about everything, even the guy who shot up the church.Every day after 3pm til late at night for the last ten years you can count on traffic back and forth constantly. I am sure the traffic is drug related! We need to do something about this. It would be nice if we could have some peace and quiet after 10Pm. Most people on this street are elderly that have grandchildren that play outside. We need speed bumps on our street between Mt.Brynion and the city water tanks. "

melann40 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:49 PM:

" My daughter is a very close friend of this gentleman, yes he was being reckless and irresponsible. Maybe if they do put up some stop signs, this will curb most accidents. As of now, this gentleman will be ok, might just be a long road to recovery. My heart goes out the this family. "

ugh...yeah wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:58 PM:

" Come on...yes, it was a poor choice on his part to go so fast...but, reserve judgment...his family is dear to me, and reading this.
People make mistakes, and he's going to *PAY* for his dearly. Be kind. You'd wish for it in your time of need.

If anything positive can come of this tragic accident, I do hope more safety precautions are installed. Yes, speeding is at fault here...maybe speeding from two directions. A stop sign here is a good choice, regardless of why this accident occurred. "

MADDOG 56 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:54 AM:

" I thank you all for the comments. Yes he was going to fast but then we all drive to fast at times even me on my way to OHSU to see if my son was still alive when I got there. I lived on MT BRYNION for 20 years, it is where Steve grew up, we moved off the mt when him and his brother started to drive because we didn't want them on that road. He moved back up there last year. We still love him for all his faults just as you love your children for theirs. I don't think a stop sign will help there maybe a traffic light would be better. Steves dad Bruce "

JILL wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:25 PM:

" BRUCE AND DEBBI AND DALE
MY HEART GO OUT TO YOU ALL "
AND I THANK GOD HE IS STILL ALIVE AND I WILL PRAY FOR HIS RECOVERY, YOU GUYS HAVE A GREAT FAMILY AND ARE ALL GOOD PEOPLE SO HANG IN THERE AND BE STRONG . "

melann40 wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:22 PM:

" Bruce, Debbie and family, I just want you to know your all in my hearts, no matter what Steve did whether it was right or wrong, I still admire him as he is like a brother to my son, Anthony, which is Angelas brother. I am praying for the best to come out of all this for you and your family. Tell Steve he is in my heart and that I am thinkin of him. Melody "

footballmom wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:56 PM:

" Like everyone I feel bad about what happened. I hope he does make a full recovery. The fact is the posted speed limit at the west end of the cemetary is 25mph going down Mt. Brynion, so the fact is he chose to drive 50 mph over. We make choices in our lives, unfortunately he made a poor one. He was very lucky that the emt and the police were right there. There is way too many people making the same choice to speed on this road.They think it is 35 all the way to the overpass so they will go 5-15 over the limit. Not every driver speeds on Mt. Brynion, thanks to those but most do. I hope the other two motorcycles take notice. We do see frequent speeds in excess of 80 from them on a daily basis. "

footballmom wrote on Jul 18, 2008 6:05 PM:

" To Silly Billy, I live on the low end of Mt Brynion so I see the speeds being driven. I don't think I would want to admit to "barreling down Mt. Brynion" If you would drive at the legal limit you could see the things around you and could avoid "tagging someone" Think about it, it's not quite rocket science. "

footballmom wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:13 PM:

" To maddog56, I understand how you feel about the traffic light but, the city of Kelso wouldn't put one on Allen St. to protect 2000 students they most certainly won't put one on Mt.Brynion. A four way stop would be prudent. If traffic knows a stop is coming they will slow down. I hope every day brings improvement in your sons condition there are many prayers for him. I hope he will walk out of the hospital recovered fully, and thankful for the life he has been given back by the ems worker at the scene and the quick response from the ambulance,police and state patrol. "

kelso mom1 wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:45 PM:

" We hope steve gets well soon!! "

VRNels wrote on Aug 2, 2008 9:58 PM:

" At OHSU this patient was in the bed next to my family member's. His parents are the two strongest parents on earth. I wish I had their strength!

Anyone know how he is doing? "

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