Battle Ground, Washington – One Person Killed, Two Injured in Motorcycle Crash

Battle Ground, Washington (March 15, 2020) – One person was killed and two others were injured in a crash involving a group of motorcyclists and one pickup truck. According to the article from KATU 2 News, Neal Karlsen, the motorcyclist struck by the pickup truck, was taken to a hospital in a Lifeflight, but was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The motorcycle rider who started the crash, 60 year-old Keith Kawazoe, and pickup truck driver Brynna Childress, were both injured and taken to area hospitals for treatment. No further word has been given regarding their conditions.

According to information from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the crash on the 26200 block of Northeast 182nd Avenue was first reported around 2:40 p.m. From initial reports, Kawazoe was riding northbound when he struck tree debris on the road, causing him to fall in the northbound lane. A group of five motorcyclists were in the area when the crash happened, and one of the riders, Karlsen, hit Kawazoe. This caused Karlsen to lose control of his vehicle and his motorcycle went into oncoming traffic, where it was struck by Childress’s southbound truck. It is not believed speed or impairment was a factor in the crash, and the incident is being investigated by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. The crash caused Northeast 182nd Avenue between Northeast 259th Street to Northeast 266th Avenue to be closed while investigation was ongoing.

About Motorcycle Accidents

We offer our sympathies and compassion for the friends and loved ones of the victim. Because of a motorcycle’s open nature, the risks of injuries are greater to a person on a motorcycle than a person in a car. Head injuries are common in motorcycle accidents of all kinds, as are limb injuries. Much like any other vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents can easily come out of lapse of attention and careless maneuvers.  It is important to always observe proper driving and consideration for other vehicles, something which all motorcycle drivers should keep in mind as 3/4 of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle. This is most likely due to a motorcycle’s overall visibility being less than most other vehicles, which means drivers of other vehicles tend not to see motorcycles in time.  This visibility problem makes motorcycle rides at night especially risky. Additionally, the stationary objects most often struck off-road are trees, utility poles, and traffic barriers, and driving in poor visibility conditions such as nighttime and unfavorable weather can increase the risks of collision with one of the objects mentioned above.

While motorcycles are a much-depended means of transportation, drivers should consider factors such as speed, number of other vehicles on the road, the road conditions and weather to ensure their safety while out and about. Be especially cautious when driving at night, as with any other vehicle. Any mistakes in judgement can lead to accidents, injuries and damage not only to your person, but on other people as well.

[cta]