A Battle Ground man is in serious condition after the Washington State Patrol said he took an improper U-turn on Northeast 219th Street Thursday morning.
Jacob Bertha, 23, was driving a 1990 Mercury Topaz west on Northeast 219th Street, which is also state Highway 502, about 7 a.m. Driving in the right lane and nearing Interstate 5, Bertha made a U-turn to go east on the roadway, but turned in front of a Dodge Intrepid, which was also traveling west in the left lane, according to Washington State Patrol.
The crash caused both vehicles to cross the eastbound lanes and go down an embankment, coming to rest in a ravine.
Bertha and the driver of the Intrepid, Shelly Thompson, 27, of Battle Ground, were both injured and taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.
Thompson was treated and released at the hospital, but Bertha was listed in serious condition in the hospitals intensive care unit. Bertha was cited for suspicion of second-degree negligent driving and Thompson was cited for having no insurance.
