Unhitched Boat Trailer Collides Motorcycle, Seriously Injuring Operator on Highway 30 Near St. Helens

The operator of the vehicle towing the boat trailer was cited for Violating Towing Safety Requirements.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(ST. HELENS, Ore.) - A motorcyclist was seriously injured Saturday afternoon on Highway 30 near St. Helens when a trailer that became unhitched from a vehicle came across the highway and collided with the motorcycle. A southbound vehicle was towing a boat trailer on Highway 30 near Bennett Road around 1:42 PM, when police say the trailer became unhitched and drifted across all lanes of traffic, colliding with a northbound motorcycle. The operator of the motorcycle, 54-year old Lynn Mohler of Ilwaco, Washington, was seriously injured.

Mr. Mohler was transported by Columbia River Fire and Rescue paramedics to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

The operator of the vehicle towing the boat trailer, 51-year old James Rupp of Warren, was cited for Violating Towing Safety Requirements.

Oregon State Police troopers from the St. Helens work site are completing the investigation. Three of four highway lanes were blocked by the crash for about one hour. Troopers were assisted by ODOT, Columbia River Fire and Rescue and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.