Camas man hit by vehicle on I-205 still critical

A Camas man remains in critical condition at a local hospital more than a week after he was struck by a car on Interstate 205.

Rich Irvine, 63, suffered some bleeding in the brain and spinal fractures, along with a less serious pelvic injury. He’s on a ventilator and can’t breathe on his own, according to his wife, Debby Irvine.

Just before 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Irvine apparently saw a pickup rear-end a blue Honda CRV on Interstate 205 and drive away. He pulled his car to the right shoulder and crossed freeway lanes to help the driver in the CRV, which had smacked into a concrete barrier dividing the northbound and southbound lanes. But as he approached the CRV, a Honda Odyssey minivan driven by 41-year-old Seattle resident Fredy Delacruz-Moreno struck the CRV and Irvine, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Irvine and the CRV’s driver, Steven M. Klase, 25, of Battle Ground, were hospitalized. Klase was discharged Friday.

About $26,000 has been raised at www.gofundme.com/ig105w to cover Irvine’s medical bills.

To help bring awareness to the fundraiser, members of the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County last week sang Christmas carols in the hospital lobby. A handful of people sang to Irvine, who is also a Rotarian, in his room.

On the Gofundme page, Irvine’s daughter, Carrie Curtin, said, “Simply seeing the size of the group that came to share their love with my dad brought tears to my eyes. … Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your kind thoughts, prayers, and good vibes. I know that it is what is helping my family get through each day just a little bit better. I simply cannot put into words how endlessly grateful I also am for all of those who have donated their hard earned money to help my Mom.”