CHEHALIS, Wash. — A quiet Tuesday morning was forever changed by a tragic collision on state Route 6 west of Chehalis, leaving a community in mourning and a young life cut heartbreakingly short. Cameron J. Dimond, just 33 years old, lost his life following a two-vehicle crash near Littell, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The collision occurred around 5:47 a.m. near milepost 48, as Cameron was traveling eastbound in a 2020 Ford Transit van. Troopers say he attempted to turn left onto Stearns Road when his vehicle collided head-on with a westbound 2012 Ford F-350 pickup. The impact was severe, and Cameron was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the pickup, Daniel J. Nederlander, 37, of Onalaska, was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital with minor injuries. Authorities confirmed he was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Cameron, tragically, was not.
Both vehicles were heavily damaged and ultimately totaled, blocking the roadway for several hours and causing significant disruptions along the highway as emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene. The Washington State Patrol later listed the cause of the crash as a failure to yield, noting that it remains unknown whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
But beyond the facts and findings lies a deeper loss — one that cannot be measured in reports or timelines.
Cameron J. Dimond was more than a name in an accident summary. He was a son, a friend, a loved one, and a familiar presence in the Chehalis community. At just 33, his life held promise, connections, and stories still unfolding. His sudden passing has left family and friends grappling with shock, grief, and an overwhelming sense of absence.
Early morning roads are often traveled in routine silence — commutes begun, days just starting. That makes tragedies like this all the more painful: a reminder of how quickly everything can change, how fragile life can be, and how a single moment can ripple through countless lives.
As the community reflects on Cameron’s life, there is also a renewed reminder of the importance of road safety — of seat belts, awareness, and caution at every intersection. These reflections come not as judgment, but as hope that future lives may be spared from similar heartbreak.
Today, Chehalis pauses to remember Cameron J. Dimond — to speak his name, to honor his life, and to hold his loved ones close in thought and prayer. May they find strength in shared memories, comfort in community support, and peace in time.
Rest easy, Cameron. You are remembered, you are mourned, and you will not be forgotten.