A motorist was hospitalized Friday night after being injured in a crash on Westlund Road that resulted in the vehicle catching fire.
The Umatilla County Fire District #1 was dispatched around 8:56 p.m. to a vehicle fire on Westland Road. Upon arrival, crews came across a vehicle fully engulfed in flames that had ran off the road and drove into a tree. A bystander helped pull the victim out of the vehicle before crews arrived on scene. Firefighters extinguished the flames and transported the patient to Good Shepherd Medical Center.
The fire district reminded drivers to use caution when traveling on Westland Road, which is currently being chip sealed. During chip seal operations, and several days afterwards, drivers are advised to drive slower and safer. The road surface acts like a gravel road. Avoid passing other vehicles, speeding, turning too sharply and rapid acceleration. Motorcycle riders should use extreme caution.
