Man accused of February hit-and-run in Lewis County pleads not guilty

The suspect involved in the alleged felony hit-and-run that sent a woman to the hospital pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in Lewis County Superior Court Wednesday.

John E. Brannfors, 83, of La Center, reportedly emailed a Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper in March to say he was the driver of the truck in question.

WSP had previously issued a press release requesting information about a red pickup truck that left the scene of a collision on Interstate 5 in February.

According to a probable cause affidavit, witnesses at the scene said the red pickup truck had sped up in "an apparent attempt to prevent the (Nissan) Rogue from entering its lane."

"The pickup truck struck the rear driver's side of the Rogue, causing the Rogue to lose control and strike the center median and roll along the freeway," the affidavit said.

The Rogue's driver, Melissa E. Olmstead, of Kelso, was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital with undisclosed injuries.

The Rogue was considered totaled.

On March 2, troopers visited and spoke with Brannfors, who reportedly showed them the truck he said he was driving during the incident.

The troopers noted "no obvious damage" to the truck, apart from some "small scratches," according to the affidavit.

Brannfors allegedly told troopers the Rogue had "collided with another vehicle in front of it in the right lane and bounced into his lane, causing his vehicle to strike the Rogue," the affidavit said.

He then allegedly admitted to "looking back" after the Rogue hit the barricade, but saw other vehicles stop and "figured they would provide any necessary aid," according to the affidavit.

Brannfors allegedly said the "root cause and liability" lay with the other driver.

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