RV driver said improved; others in crash released
‘Street people’ at site narrowly avoided death
The debris pile that was Pizza Pit awaits removal (Photo by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
Of five persons injured in a catastrophic crash in Downtown Cave Junction, indications are that only the driver of a large motorhome that destroyed the front portion of Pizza Pit restaurant still is hospitalized this week.
The condition of William E. Mohler, 64, from Livermore, Calif., was downgraded to “serious” early this week at Oregon Health & Science University intensive care unit in Portland. He had been listed in “critical condition.”
His wife, Nancy Mohler, 62, was treated and later released from Three Rivers Community Hospital (TRCH) in Grants Pass, and is with him at OHSU, according to a relative, Sharon McKeown, of Eureka, Calif.
The couple with the Mohlers in the 38-foot-long RV, that smashed explosively into Pizza Pit on Sunday, July 1 shortly before 1 p.m., were released from TRCH Sunday, July 8, said Mrs. McKeown.
Advertisment:
She said, “They’re sore, but doing OK.”
Oregon State Police identified the other couple as Robert Johnson, 69, and Dianne Johnson, 60. Like the Mohlers they are residents of Livermore.
Cave Junction resident Audrey F. Miller, 79, whose car was one of two struck by the diesel-powered RV towing a Jeep, was treated and released from TRCH the day of the crash, she said. (OSP incorrectly listed her age as 82 last week).
“I have a bruise on my head, and my neck hurts,” said Mrs. Miller. “And I’m still feeling a bit in shock, but I’m alive.”
Two Medford residents, whose car also was struck by the RV before it demolished the front of Pizza Pit, refused treatment at the scene on July 1.
Illinois Valley News on Monday, July 9 received an email, signed by the Mohler and Johnson families, about the accident. It’s titled, “The amazing people of Cave Junction.”
The message reads, “The people in this small town remind us of all the good in the world. The accident happened, and they immediately jumped in and helped with everything from medical to traffic control to clean-up.
“A large ‘thanks’ goes out to them. Because of their help at the scene before police, fire and EMTs were able to respond, it gave all emergency crews better access and manpower when they needed it.
“We appreciate deeply everything they did,” the message concludes.
OSP said that William Mohler “failed to stop for a red traffic signal” at the intersection of Hwy. 199 and Hwy. 46. OSP added, “The driver had reported to his passengers just prior to the crash that he could not stop.”
After colliding with the two cars stopped side-by-side facing north, the northbound motorhome careened across the two lanes for southbound traffic. The rig went over a curb and onto a sidewalk before taking out a goodly portion of Pizza Pit.
Those who heard the crash reported it sounded like an explosion, and that parts of the building blew out as though hit by a bomb. Many people inside nearby Shop Smart Food Warehouse, including some medical personnel and the store emergency response team, rushed to help.
Although two Pizza Pit employees were on duty at the time of the crash, they were out of reach of the devastation. Restaurant owner Bob Humphries said that one worker had been in the front only moments before the RV struck with destructive results.
“She likely would have been killed, as she was at the front window,” he said, “but she walked toward the back just before the crash.”
Additional indications are that at least six “street people” and their dogs would have been wiped out by the RV. They had congregated at a spot in the path of the out-of-control motorhome near Pizza Pit, but they decided to move across the street a few minutes prior to the accident.
“God does work in mysterious ways,” said Neal White, one of those often seen lingering downtown.
Humphries reiterated July 9 that he will rebuild, although there is yet no schedule. He was in the process Monday of having some stock removed by vendors, and working with his insurance agent and a structural engineer.
Indications are that at least “selective demolition” will occur, probably not until next week.
A chain-link fence with yellow caution tape has been placed around the debris and what’s left of the front of the business.
He said that he feels blessed that no one else was injured because of the wreck, and is touched by the concern shown by residents.
He also noted that someone, described by some as “an enterprising jackass,” wormed his way under the debris the night of July 1 to filch somewhere between $20 to $30 worth of change from a cash register.
As for additional data about the crash, including findings about the mechanical condition of the RV, OSP said that no other details are available.
