Two morning accidents cause serious injuries

A motorcyclist has been hospitalized and the driver of a car that pulled out in front of him is being charged with vehicular assault after a Thursday morning crash on Trent Avenue at Starr Road. In another crash, the driver of a small Honda drove head-on into a dump truck stopped in a left turn lane near Fancher Road.

According to Washington State Patrol Trooper Mark Baker, the first crash happened about 7 a.m. Motorcyclist Mark A. McLean, 40, was traveling east on Trent when a Newman Lake woman driving a silver sedan pulled out in front of him from Starr Road.

McLean slammed into the windshield of the car and then hit the roadway. He was airlifted to Deaconess Medical Center with a broken leg and arm, and he was listed in serious but stable condition.

Meanwhile, the driver of the car, 42-year-old Kathryn R. Solomon, was given a field sobriety test that showed she might be impaired, said Baker, who added that she also said she had taken prescription drugs. She was taken to Valley Hospital and Medical Center for a blood draw and drug evaluation, he said.

Baker said that McLean was hurt badly but was spared further injury because of his protective gear, including a full-face helmet, gloves, boots and a protective vest.

The second crash occurred later in the morning when the driver of a red, two-door Honda traveling west on Trent drove head-on into a dump truck towing a flatbed trailer.

The dump truck was stopped in the center turn lane, but witnesses reported that the Honda moved out of the travel lanes into the turn lane.

“There was no evidence of braking,” said Baker, who added that the driver of the Honda had to be removed from the car with the Jaws of Life.

The driver later reportedly said he fell asleep. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries but was conscious and in stable condition.