Undersheriff Robbie Patterson injured in motorcycle mishap

ANATONE–Columbia County Undersheriff Robbie Patterson is recovering at home this week after spending a few days in a Lewiston, Id., hospital following a motorcycle accident on State Route 129, 25 miles south of Asotin, Wash., on September 21.

Patterson was on a motorcycle ride with some friends on a day off when his 2002 Yamaha FZS10PL left the roadway on State Highway 129 at MP 11, reported the Washington State Patrol.

Patterson, in an interview with the Dayton Chronicle, said the group was riding Rattlesnake Grade when he "lost control, hit a log, flew over the handlebars and landed on his head." He estimated his speed at about 25 m.p.h. Patterson was wearing a helmet.

Patterson, 42, was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center where he declined emergency surgery, opting to take extra time to assess his condition.

He received a broken vertebra and six fractured ribs. Fortunately, Patterson is able to walk and says most of the pain is due to the broken ribs.

As of Monday, he was walking around the hospital and is able to perform the activities of daily living such as using the rest room, getting dressed, etc. He anticipated being discharged late Monday.

"It was looking like the worst at first," he said.