Just before 5 p.m. on April 22, 2025, a 45‑year‑old Kelso woman—identified by the Washington State Patrol only by her first name, Sarah—fell asleep at the wheel on northbound Interstate 5 near Kalama, causing a crash that sent herself and another woman to the hospital. According to the patrol, no drugs or alcohol were involved.

It happened at approximately milepost 30, just south of Kalama. Sarah’s vehicle collided with a slowing car driven by another woman. Both drivers were injured and transported to a nearby hospital. Sarah now faces charges of second‑degree negligent driving for her part in the incident.

This incident is yet another sobering reminder of the dangers of drowsy driving. In April, a separate crash just slightly north occurred when 21‑year‑old Wyatt Marrs fell asleep at the wheel at the same milepost, injuring himself, a 34‑year‑old woman, and a two‑year‑old child—fortunately, none fatally. That crash too was attributed to driver fatigue, and Marrs was also charged with negligent driving. Neither incident involved impairment from alcohol or drugs.

Unfortunately, these crashes are not isolated. Last year, near milepost 27, a horrific rollover in Kalama killed three family members after a distracted driver tried to avoid slowing traffic. That tragedy claimed multiple lives and laid bare the deadly consequences when a driver’s attention slips for even a moment.

These recurring incidents on a relatively short stretch of northbound I‑5—just south of Kalama—highlight a glaring safety concern. Whether due to fatigue or distraction, these crashes disproportionately threaten our local communities. Kelso and Longview residents rely on that portion of the freeway daily, and each tragedy serves as a warning.

Experts urge drivers—even for short trips—to prioritize rest. Washington state law treats falling asleep at the wheel as negligent driving, potentially inviting criminal charges, not just traffic citations. Law enforcement and public safety advocates recommend taking regular breaks, rotating drivers, or pulling off to rest if fatigue sets in.

For our region, this isn’t just another crash—it’s a stark signal that we must reclaim our roads with vigilance and a renewed commitment to safety. Holding negligent drivers accountable is essential, but so is building a culture where rest isn’t optional—it’s patriotic.

Stay awake. Stay alert. Save lives.

Related stories: A nearly identical crash in April involving another fatigued driver at milepost 30 that hospitalized three people—including a toddler; and a tragic multi‑fatal collision in Kalama last year from driver distraction.

Sources:

KPTV: Three hospitalized, including toddler, after sleeping driver causes crash in Cowlitz Co.

The Seattle Times: Three dead in rollover on I‑5, including child, grandparents