A LifeFlight helicopter lands on the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in response to an injured person involved in a multiple car accident in the northbound lane of Interstate 5 just south of the Mellen Street exit on Friday night. The multi-car wreck was part of a series of wrecks in a matter of minutes between mile post 81 and 82.
A Chehalis Fire Department firefighter uses flares to help direct a medical helicopter onto Interstate 5 in a response to several multi-car accidents on Friday night at exit 81 in Centralia.
A Chehalis Fire Department firefighter waves a car off the Interstate 5 as he attempts to use flares to help land a medical helicopter onto the interstate in a response to several multi-car accidents on Friday night at exit 81 in Centralia. The car's presence forced the helicopter to abort it's second attempt at landing on the freeway.
First responders place a man in an ambulance after being involved in a multi-car collision on northbound Interstate 5 on Friday night near the Mellen Street exit.
Firefighters inspect the damage to the front of a semi truck involved in a multi-car collision on northbound Interstate 5 on Friday night at the Mellen Street exit.
Update: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Family and friends of Lukah Herren have asked us to share this information with the community.
Update: Saturday, Jan. 7, 11:30 a.m.
A 16-year-old girl who was killed last night after being struck by a vehicle while she crossed the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 has been identified.
Lukah Herren, of Toledo, was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a 2006 Saturn SUV around 7 p.m. last night, according to a release from the Washington State Patrol.
Initial reports from the State Patrol stated Herren was 15-years-old, but the incident report said she was 16.
The 19-year-old female driver was not injured, but her vehicle was totaled. Drugs and alcohol were not involved and no charges have been filed.
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
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A 15-year-old girl was struck and killed while attempting to cross Interstate 5 on foot Friday night.
It was one of at least three accidents that occurred on Interstate 5 through the Twin Cities Friday night. Two subsequent crashes resulted in serious injuries, according to Washington State Trooper Will Finn.
Finn said the 15-year-old girl was struck by an SUV and killed crossing the southbound lanes of I-5 at milepost 81 near Mellen Street. She was crossing the interstate to meet with friends, Finn said.
Friends of the family identified the girl as a Toledo resident. The Chronicle is withholding identification of the victim until it is announced by authorities after family members are notified.
Riverside Fire Authority units responded to another collision involving a semi-truck and four other vehicles located in the backed-up traffic in the southbound lanes. Firefighters from RFA and the Chehalis Fire Department extricated a male driver who was pinned in his vehicle. He was airlifted in serious but stable condition with suspected internal injuries. Two other victims in different vehicles were treated and transported from the scene, according to RFA. The incident is under investigation by the Washington State Patrol
The third accident between a semi-truck and a car occurred on northbound I-5 near milepost 81, resulting in serious injuries. According to Finn, the semi driver was placed under arrest. Washington State troopers said he was impaired.
A helicopter briefly landed on the freeway to airlift a patient in one of the crashes.
Traffic was delayed or completely halted in both directions of the Interstate.
The death of the 15-year-old girl was the second fatality for a pedestrian in the Twin Cities Friday. A man was killed in a crosswalk early Friday morning on Market Boulevard in Chehalis.
Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod identified the man Friday morning as Clifford C. Seng, 82, of Chehalis.
Information was limited as The Chronicle went to press Friday night. Look for additional information as it becomes available at www.chronline.com and in Tuesday’s print edition.
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The Chronicle will report additional details as they become available.
