Suspected DUI crash in Freeland sends one to hospital | CORRECTED

By Kyle Jensen • September 8, 2017 2:15 pm
Kyle Jensen / The Record — Langley resident Adam Delong’s BMW motorcycle and shoes lie in the roadway after being hit by a white Jeep Cherokee, pictured.
Kyle Jensen / The Record — Langley resident Adam Delong’s BMW motorcycle and shoes lie in the roadway after being hit by a white Jeep Cherokee, pictured.

A Freeland woman may face DUI and vehicular assault charges after striking a motorcyclist Thursday evening.

The motorcyclist, 46-year-old Langley resident Adam Delong, was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. According to hospital officials, Delong is in “serious condition.”

The collision occurred around 7 p.m. Thursday evening on Highway 525 near Woodard Avenue in Freeland. The woman, 59-year-old Lonna Mathenia, was northbound on Highway 525 in a white 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Delong was southbound on Highway 525 on a black 2016 BMW R nineT motorcycle.

According to a Washington State Patrol press release, Mathenia crossed the double yellow center line into the southbound lane as she was approaching Woodard Avenue. Her vehicle struck Delong head-on, sending parts of his motorcycle across the road and surrounding areas.

His shoes were also strewn across the roadway, and his bike mangled.

Both Delong’s motorcycle and Mathenia’s Jeep Cherokee came to rest in the roadway, blocking both lanes. Highway 525 was closed for more than an hour as the Washington State Patrol investigated the crash.

Mathenia wasn’t injured in the incident and was later booked into Island County Jail on suspicion of DUI. Delong was wearing a helmet, according to the police report.

“The patient was conscious and breathing when he left this location,” South Whidbey Fire/EMS Lt. Mari St. Amand said.

Delong’s injuries appeared to be severe, but plans to airlift him to the hospital were aborted. South Whidbey Fire/EMS Chief Rusty Palmer said the airlift was scrubbed due to a combination of adverse weather conditions and resource availability.

“It was a matter of having to get a night pilot from Olympia out here because of the smoke,” Palmer said. “It was a conditions issue, so they said it was going to be an hour delay. They opted to drive him to the hospital, which was ultimately the right decision.”

Editor’s note: Due to inaccurate information provided by Harborview Medical Center, a previous version of this story incorrectly said Adam Delong was in satisfactory condition. As of Friday, he remained in serious condition.