The Washington State Patrol is asking for the public’s help identifying the driver of a maroon full‑size pickup involved in a hit‑and‑run collision on Interstate 5 that left a Kelso woman hospitalized. According to a WSP bulletin and reporting by KIRO 7 News, the crash occurred around 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, near milepost 66 between Winlock and Napavine. The collision involved a red Nissan SUV driven by 51‑year‑old Melissa Olmstead of Kelso and an unidentified maroon pickup that continued southbound without stopping.

WSP investigators say the suspect vehicle likely sustained damage to the front passenger side. The agency has released a blurry image of the truck on its website in hopes that someone can help identify it. Anyone with information is asked to email Detective Conor Schwilke at [email protected].

Olmstead was transported to a hospital following the collision. No additional details about her condition were immediately available. The investigation remains active, and WSP is seeking witnesses who may have been traveling in the area at the time.

Why this matters

Hit‑and‑run collisions on I‑5 continue to burden communities along the Southwest Washington corridor, leaving residents reliant on public cooperation to help resolve cases. In this incident, the victim is a Kelso resident, underscoring the local impact within Cowlitz County and the importance of timely information sharing between law enforcement and the public.

Sources

KIRO 7 News Seattle: Detectives looking for witnesses to hit‑and‑run crash in Lewis County