Comments on: Fatal Car Crash on I-5 Near Longview, Washington

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:00:54 +0000

My family and two other families were in the Southbound lane right behind the accident, we were on our way to Bend for Spring Vacation. The car I was traveling in was probably less than twenty cars behind the accident. I don’t think speed was the cause of the accident but any speed was a problem right then. It was defintly nature it was the weirdest event that happened to us in along time. All at once within a minute it was a heavy hale, sleet storm and put a film on the road right away. It was very scary and the friend I was with immediatly pumped her brakes which was good because immediatly all the cars had red tail lights ahead and we had to stop suddenly. We knew right away something happened, but we had a huge tractor trailer ahead of us. People stopped in the Northbound lane so we knew it wasn’t good. I have to say I was very impressed how fast the emergency response team got there. I am very sorry for the families involved. We were able to get through the scene fairly quickly we were in the middle lane and they let about five cars go through middle lane and then right lane. Our two other families traveling with us took about 45 minutes to get through the scene. As we went by the scene we did see the two cars that were the worst and instantly felt saddened. We did see a lady in the first car getting medical attention and in the second car they were helping a women in the front seat. There was a gentlemen just sitting in the back seat with his legs towards the outside with the door open, he looked like in shock. It really hits everyone who witnesses such an accident or even to drive by. I know the three families with myself thought about the family all week, and did find out that night the driver did not make it (by the interenet)it saddends your heart. It was really good to read all the families stories and what a great family this was, thank you. It seems to heal the heart a little, even though I did not know this family. You somehow feel closer after something like this. All take care!

By: gary says:

gary says: — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:29:13 +0000

Dear Karen.extended family, and “our children”.We were very sad to hear the news. Both Dar and I are grateful for the recent time we spent together at Brian’s graduation. We will visit soon as we head out a week from this Sunday, and yes we will be careful. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Together we all raised a bunch of good,strong children,grand children and great grand children that will get you through these difficult times. Gary/Dar

By: Alan Fisher

Alan Fisher — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:08:57 +0000

Dear Karen and Family, Our hearts and prayers are with you. We will continue to pray for your healing during a difficult time. Jerry and Karen sound like wonderful people. I remember you both from a family reunion but unforunatly never got to know you very well. God Bless you. Alan and Family

By: Teak

Teak — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:34:50 +0000

“Big Jerry” is my brother inlaw and, pretty much as everyone above has stated he drove like an old lady. I played golf with Big Jerry when he and my sister came back to the east coast for visits. I will miss playing golf with him and hearing some of his history stories. The last time they were here on the east coast, my brother inlaw Tom Waite, his brother Jeff and I took Big Jerry to a Catatonk Golf coarse in Canton. There was one hole they had been rebuilt, that was a very long par 5. After we hit our second or third shot, there was this huge pond between us and the green. Big Jerry started bitching (in a fun way) about who the hell built this hole. There was no way to go around it, so you had to go over. I don’t remember how many balls we lost on that one hole but I did agree with Big Jerry. Older golfers and women should get like a par 10 on that one hole. We had a great time together playing golf and he will be truely missed. But I am pretty sure that him and my dad (Gus) are playing 18 holes on the great golf course in the sky. I love you all and will be seeing you in the near future to help Karen with her recovery.

By: LOM

LOM — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:21:30 +0000

I had to move the blog to a new location: http://jerryandkarenupdate.blogspot.com

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:51:29 +0000

These sites are incredibly amazing. Being from the ‘other’ non-tech generation, this is such a great tool to express our feelings to the ‘family’. As Karen is about to have a very long and tedious recovery, this will give her considerable reading material. To the ‘kids-next-door’ your comments will again confirm how much both your parents are loved, and how very much we all feel deeply feel your loss.

By: Makayla

Makayla — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:13:06 +0000

Jerry and Karen O’Neil are my grandparents. I for sure know speed was not an issue because I to used to always make fun of my grandpa for driving slowly, But he always answered “Stop being a back-seat driver! ”
I know that every person in this world that knew him will miss his warm welcoming smile. Whenever we walked up to the front door in the mornings to visit you would either smell pancakes or he would be the first one outside to greet you and grandma right behind him.
In the past few weeks I got the chance to go to Arizona and visit grandma and grandpa along with my cousin Ashton. When we were in the air port getting ready to head home to our home around the Seattle area and as we were stepping on the plane the very last words he has ever said to me was ” I love you!! Have a safe trip home!!!. ”
On Saturday we were at an event for some of our family and when we were done we called their cellphone. They didnt answer and we left a message. After this happening about 4 or 5 times of getting the answering machine from about 2:45 to 5:00 is when we started worry. Then my uncle who was with us at the time got a call and told us that grandma and grandpa were in a car accident and grandma was in the hospital and grandpa didnt make it.

May grandpa rest in peace!!!