Motorcyclist Neal Karlsen was pronounced dead after being transported to an area hospital
BATTLE GROUND — A Battle Ground man was pronounced dead Sunday evening from injuries suffered in a multiple-vehicle collision near Battle Ground.
Motorcyclist Neal Karlsen succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead after being transported to an area hospital.
On Sunday 2:41 p.m., Clark County Fire District 3, EMS personnel, and Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies were dispatched to a collision in the 26200 block of NE 182nd Avenue, north of Battle Ground Lake State Park. Upon arrival, EMS personnel contacted and treated Karlsen, a bicyclist, and a driver of an involved pickup.
Based on statements of involved parties and scene evidence, deputies learned the following:
• Keith Kawazoe, age 60, had been riding his bicycle north on NE 182nd Avenue. Kawazoe struck the top of a tree that had apparently fallen partially into the travel lane. The collision caused Kawazoe to fall off of his bicycle and into the northbound lane.
• A group of five motorcyclists out for a day ride were traveling behind Kawazoe, and the first motorcyclist swerved to avoid Kawazoe. The second motorcyclist, identified as Karlsen, collided with Kawazoe, which caused the motorcycle to lose control and cross into the oncoming lane. Karlsen and his motorcycle were struck by a southbound pickup, driven by Brynna Childress, age 18.
Karlsen was transported via LifeFlight helicopter to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead. Childress and Kawazoe were also transported to area hospitals via ambulance with unspecified injuries.
Kawazoe and Karlsen are residents of the Battle Ground area. Childress is a resident of La Center.
As of this notification, no arrests have been made. It does not appear speed or impairment were contributing factors in this incident, which is currently being investigated by the CCSO Traffic Unit. NE 182nd Avenue from NE 259th Street to NE 266th Street were closed for investigative reasons.
Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
