Amboy man recovering in hospital after crash north of Battle Ground

Amboy man improving in hospital after crash near B.G.

An Amboy man’s condition has improved from critical to satisfactory after a spinout and collision on state Highway 503 just north of Battle Ground early Saturday.

Richard V. Owens, 21, of Amboy remained hospitalized late Saturday at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

His leg and sacrum (tailbone, or the base of the spine) were fractured and a lung collapsed in a crash shortly before 1 a.m., the Washington State Patrol said.

The crash sent another passenger and both drivers to a Vancouver hospital.

A 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Manuel C. Lomeli, 22, of Vancouver was southbound on the Lewisville Highway, near Northeast 269th Street and the Lewisville One Stop market, when it veered to the right and struck a ditch, the WSP said.

The Lancer spun back onto the highway and into the northbound lane, where it was struck from the rear by a 2001 GMC 2500 pickup driven by Ryan A. Patterson of Battle Ground.

Lomeli, Owens and another passenger were sent to PeaceHealth. Lomeli suffered facial lacerations, and Jessica M. Perez, 20, of Gresham, Ore., suffered back pain.

Patterson suffered bruises and a possible broken wrist, and also was taken to PeaceHealth.

Everyone except Owens was treated and released, the hospital said.

Both vehicles were totaled. Everyone involved except Owens had been wearing a seat belt, the WSP said.

Lomeli’s inattention led to the crash, according to the WSP, with drugs or alcohol a contributing factor. He was cited for DUI and vehicular assault.