3 injured, pet missing after nasty I-5 crash near Chehalis
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CHEHALIS, Wash. -- A Shelton woman was seriously injured and a dog is still missing after a nasty Tuesday morning crash on I-5 in Lewis County.
Washington State Patrol troopers say a semi-truck was attempting to change lanes Tuesday morning when it hit a motorhome, injuring three people inside.
Donald and Patricia Rodgers of Shelton and their 18-year-old assistant Debra, were on their way back to Shelton from a California dog show when the wreck happened.
Patricia was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center, where she remains in serious condition. Donald was taken to Centralia Providence Hospital, but was released later on Tuesday.
"It's been a horrifying day. It's every professional handler and every show person's worst nightmare ever," said family friend Angela Allen.
Several dogs were inside the motor home during the crash. Most made it through the violent incident unharmed, but one dog -- a whippet named Steeler -- is still missing.
Volunteers spent the day searching for the dog along I-5, but have so far come up empty.
"It's really hard," Allen said. "You're literally looking for a needle in a hay stack and any kind of glimpse is what you hope for."
Handlers say anyone who spots the dog should be careful not to spook him. They also say Steeler responds to whistling.
Troopers are still investigating the crash. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
Washington State Patrol troopers say a semi-truck was attempting to change lanes Tuesday morning when it hit a motorhome, injuring three people inside.
Donald and Patricia Rodgers of Shelton and their 18-year-old assistant Debra, were on their way back to Shelton from a California dog show when the wreck happened.
Patricia was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center, where she remains in serious condition. Donald was taken to Centralia Providence Hospital, but was released later on Tuesday.
"It's been a horrifying day. It's every professional handler and every show person's worst nightmare ever," said family friend Angela Allen.
Several dogs were inside the motor home during the crash. Most made it through the violent incident unharmed, but one dog -- a whippet named Steeler -- is still missing.
Volunteers spent the day searching for the dog along I-5, but have so far come up empty.
"It's really hard," Allen said. "You're literally looking for a needle in a hay stack and any kind of glimpse is what you hope for."
Handlers say anyone who spots the dog should be careful not to spook him. They also say Steeler responds to whistling.
Troopers are still investigating the crash. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
Was that truck driver on drugs or something? I can see him missing a car but to not see a motor home is crazy. Washington is one of the slackest states on truckers in all the western states I drive. They really need to start cramping down on them, their speed and their following too close in bad weather. Granted some people are stupid enough to pull right in front of a truck with no room for him to react and then get mad because they think he is following too close. Many truckers are good careful drivers, but there are some concrete cowboys out there that need to be reigned in.
So, so glad to hear Steeler has been found. Â There are many of us that travel I-5 from Seattle to Portland for various dog events. Â Private owner or professional handler, we usually travel with multiple dogs. Â We all worry about our dogs safety on these trips. Â
Speedy recovery to all in the Rodgers vehicle.
Steeler the Whippet dog has been found and is safe. he is on this way to the vet right now to get looked at. he was found behind Dairygold.
Steeler has been found, he is safe.Â
Probably in shock!!! Please find the pooch!
Semi's have very limited visibility. Thet are also prone to sending a blinding wave of water to their left and right when it is raining heavily, creating a hazard for other vehicles. They really are a poor idea from a safety perspective. Blind spots, create hazards for other drivers, and have a ton of momentum and so cannot stop quickly, slow to accelerate as well. Something new should replace them, and if semi's came on the market today, they would be banned.
@Harry Truman And how would you suggest EVERYTHING in your life arrive at store where you purchase it?
Never 'sit' beside a semi, but make your pass as quickly as possible. You're in the driver's blind spot when you're beside a semi.
@wh344 I didn't read in the article where it said they were sitting beside the semi, did I miss something? It seems more and more often, people want to blame the victim.
Whippets are too small and frail to last very long outdoors. I sure hope someone finds this pup soon.
I sure hope their daughter comes through this okay, and someday soon this is just a terrible memory.
Im a retired trucker, 2 two very very important points:
1)  when you change lanes do this: turn your signal on and let it blink 4 to 5 times before you start your lane change this tells drivers what your intention is, especially those who are speeding up behind you and plan on whipping around you, without you noticing even though you checked your mirror before hand.
2)  MAKE YOUR LANE CHANGE SLOWLY this will allow that person that came out of nowhere  to react safely, every one of us has witnessed that phantom driver at least one time or more in our lifeÂ
And one more thing: drivers that are always in a hurry or not paying attention to their driving will one day hit the jackpot GUARANTEED. Â
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@Larkin Vonalt @norlan
I reread Norlan's comment several times, and I don't see where he is blaming the RV driver. In fact, it almost sounds like the opposite. Since the truck was changing lanes, it is most likely the truck driver's fault. Norlan's two points seem to be advising truck drivers that, even when you think you are doing everything right, here are a couple of additional things you could do to make your lane change even safer. And the last sentence applies equally to drivers of ANY vehicle.
@Larkin Vonalt wat to jump to conclusions. The comment never stated a fault, just advice.
@norlan I agree for semi drivers to make a lane change slowly but for regular vehicles it can be a nuisance when people pull out in front of you going slower than you. Yes, I can break but if you are going slower than I am why would someone do that in the first place; always seems like a bad idea.Â
@norlan It states that the Semi truck was changing lanes not the motorhome, why is it that it is alway's assumed that the semi is not at fault
@Eharper @norlan Not much of a picture to go on, but it appears that maybe the truck driver was moving over to the passing lane and probably the motorhome had been coming up behind the semi and was just in the process of passing the truck. You can't see directly behind a semi, mirrors can't see around corners. This is a pretty common accident involving trucks.
@Eharper I think it's intended for ALL drivers and was not at all blaming the RV.Â
We use to loose our dogs deer hunting. You leave an article of clothing with your sent, like a jacket and some food. Come back a day later and pick them up. They always make their way back, find your sent and stay.
@fumblefacedolt That's very helpful information, I hope the owners read it. It's too bad Glassman and Swansong68 couldn't let a couple of errors in your post go, I'm pretty sure anyone reading your post could get your meaning, even with the errors.
@fumblefacedolt "scent"
"lose" lol
@Larkin Vonalt @swansong68 That's rare and archaic, but yes "loose" can be used as a verb like that. But clearly he was trying to say "lose."
@swansong68But, great idea!
Truckers deserve a lot more respect on the road than they get, but I have no love for the ones who need to change lanes all the time. 80,000lbs moving at 60-70mph isn't something to get impatient with. Truckers need to pick a lane and stay there unless they need to merge out of necessity.Â
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@the unvarnished truth Drug testing is always the first thing done when a truck is involved in any kind of accident. The same thing should happen to every other driver involved in any accident!
Poor scared pup. I hope he is found. :(