JUNE 4, 2015
ROCHESTER, WASHINGTON
Attorneys for a man critically injured in an accident along
I-5 have filed a lawsuit against the construction company and a claim with the
state Department of Transportation.
The accident happened on April 17, along a stretch of I-5 in
Centralia where work is underway to widen the freeway.
Scott Bliss, 40, was on his way to work that morning, riding
his motorcycle from Rochester to his welding job in Tumwater. Bliss was merging
onto I-5 when he slammed into a truck that his attorneys say was blocking the
roadway.
Attorney Viivi Vanderslice says the dump truck driver was
supposed to exit the freeway on a gravel road, but took a "shortcut"
and tried to U-turn on the onramp.
"There appears to have been no warning signs, no
flaggers, no lights, nothing to alert or protect the public," Vanderslice
explained.
Bliss' injuries are catastrophic and he remains in a coma at
Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup. There is a possibility he will regain some
motor skills, but doctors say he will never be the same and will need care for
the rest of his life.
His long-time girlfriend, Cheryl Aton, has put her life on
hold to be at his side and try and help him.
"It's so hard to see him like this because this isn't
the guy he once was," she said.
Aton spends her day hoping for small miracles or signs of
improvement.
"That might be a wiggle of his foot and a twitch in his
face, something small," she said.
Aton says the wonderful memories she shares with Scott are a
far cry from the life they live now.
"We love to go to the beach, take the puppies out for
hikes and walks and go for bike rides and motorcycle rides," she said.
"The Scott now is very limited and fighting for every breath he's
taking."
WSDOT declined to comment on the lawsuit. The construction
company, Scarsella Brothers in Kent, did not return calls asking for comment.