Illinois Valley News

A loud, explosive sound in Downtown Cave Junction on Sunday, July 1 was caused by a 38-foot diesel-powered motorhome towing a car smashing into and demolishing Pizza Pit restaurant after the rig struck two cars and went out of control.

Devastation to the front portion resulted, with that portion of the eatery left wide open and the roof collapsed, held up only by the rear of the motorhome.

Its driver reportedly told his passengers just prior to the crash that he could not stop, according to Oregon State Police.

Four people in the large RV, including its driver -- who was medically evacuated from the Junction Inn vacant lot by Medford-based Mercy Flights -- were reported injured. The four all are from Livermore, Calif.

Two employees at the restaurant at 316 S. Redwood Hwy., next to Pharmacy Express and Shop Smart Food Warehouse, were at the rear of the building, and escaped injury. Had anyone been at the front counter, they likely would have been severely injured or killed, as the front area was obliterated.

There were no other persons in the building at the time of the major incident, reported at 12:48 p.m.

So many people were notifying the 911 Dispatch Center of the wreck that the lines became jammed.

The driver of one of the struck vehicles was transported by American Medical Response (AMR), as were the three passengers in the 2000 model motorhome, said OSP and Capt. Joe Feldhaus, of Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD), who was incident commander.

A man and woman in the other car, a BMW convertible, involved refused medical treatment. Their car ended up on the north side of Caves Hwy. between Stevereno’s Family Restaurant and Oregon Caves Chevron.

They were identified as Medford residents Michael R. Anderson, 56; and Claudia Smith Anderson, 50.

Two women in other cars at the intersection where the initial crash occurred said that they barely missed being involved.

The severity of the wreck, and the subsequent devastation and debris, attracted a huge crowd. Many persons immediately began working to help and remove those in the motorhome until the arrival of emergency personnel.

Civilians also began removing debris from the area. Others helped direct traffic. And an estimated 150 persons simply watched the proceedings from across Redwood Hwy. or from the Shop Smart Food Warehouse parking lot, adjacent to Pizza Pit. The scene was not completely cleared until around 5 p.m.

Among those helping at the scene during the disaster were members of the Shop Smart Food emergency response team. A “Code 99” call was given for the team in the store, trained to respond in the event of a major emergency.

“It’s a good team, and they did well,” said Jessica Clark, store manager. IVFD firefighters also expressed appreciation to the team.

OSP identified the injured in the RV as its driver, William E. Mohler, 64; and passengers Nancy Mohler, 62; Robert Johnson, 69; and Dianne Johnson, 60. They were said to be in critical condition, said Feldhaus.

Cave Junction resident Audrey F. Miller, 82, was reported in fair to serious condition. She was the driver of a Nissan struck by the RV, and her vehicle ended up on the west side of Redwood Hwy. near the Junction Inn.

AMR sent four ambulances for the injured.

A vehicle parked on the north side of Pizza Pit incurred some damage from the collapsed building. The car is owned by Anne J. Smith, of Cave Junction.

Pharmacy Express was not affected by the incident, as its building is separate.

Feldhaus said that due to the extensiveness of the situation, and the fact that it was spread across some 100 yards -- from Caves Hwy. north to Pizza Pit and Shop Smart -- IVFD called for a general response for manpower.

That tone-out alarm resulted in 18 firefighters responding in 10 units, including two engines and three rescue vehicles. OSP, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Pacific Power also responded, although the first officer on-scene was a U.S. Forest Service lawman.

Rural/Metro Fire Dept. responded to cover IVFD’s Selma Station while its main engine was at the scene.

At the scene, Bob Humphreys, Pizza Pit owner, did not hesitate as to his next step.

“We’re going to rebuild and reopen,” he said. “We’re coming back.”

He added that the building, which he owns, is cracked, as it apparently shifted from the collision. Doors on the north side of the structure would not close due to that.

He said that he has insurance. The RV driver also has insurance, OSP said.

Once the vehicles were removed from the scene, heavy equipment was used to rearrange debris from the building at the front. When the RV was removed for towing, there was structural collapse.

Besides emergency responders also listed, assistance at the scene was provided by Jerry’s Towing, Caveman Towing, ODOT, and city of Cave Junction Public Works Dept.

OSP said that the RV with its towed car was northbound on Redwood Hwy. It added that the BMW was stopped on the right “slow” lane of the highway facing north. The Nissan was on the left “fast” lane, also facing north.

OSP said that the RV rig “failed to stop for the light and hit both vehicles.” The RV crossed both lanes for southbound traffic of the highway, and ended up smashing into Pizza Pit, which is approximately 100 yards from the site of the initial crash.

The tow bar between the RV and its following vehicle appeared to be damaged. Several unidentified witnesses reported that the towed car began fish-tailing, and that it seemed to contribute to the RV going out of control.

Some said that the RV was moving rapidly, but there is no official confirmation of that observation.

OSP said that the crash is under investigation. It also noted, “The driver had reported to his passengers just prior to the crash that he could not stop.”

OSP accident reconstructionists blocked the highway between Caves Hwy. and Lister Street while measurements were taken. That portion of the highway was closed from approximately 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Traffic was directed around the crash site for some time, but eventually rerouted to go around the location. The highway was reopened after several hours.

Feldhaus, who has some 40 years experience as a firefighter, said that the wreck “ranks up there in my top 10” for severity. He also noted that due to law enforcement not being immediately available, there was no way to control the large crowd at the scene.

“We resorted to controlled chaos” for a time, Feldhaus said, “letting civilians continue to help” although untrained.

The fire captain also noted that several nurses and physicians came to him and asked how they could help. The extent of their assistance was unclear, but it appeared that aid was provided.

Besides its emergency team, Shop Smart at one point also brought out its forklift to help move larger portions of the building debris. As well, although not used, backhoes were brought to the site by Camp Excavating on Rockydale Road, and Copeland Sand & Gravel, which had a rig at the north end of Cave Junction at a work site.

The Pizza Pit portion destroyed was part of an addition built in the 1970s, recalled Tom Green, a former Cave Junction mayor. The original structure was built in 1945, said Doug Stohlman, of Junction Realty.

At the scene, current Mayor Tony Paulson commented, “Maybe ODOT will listen more now about reducing the speed limit through our city.”

More photos available here

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