Two separate DUI-related crashes occurred within hours of each other Friday evening, both in the same stretch of State Route 504—better known locally as Spirit Lake Highway—just east of Toutle. One of the collisions proved fatal, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).

Troopers reported that both crashes involved impaired drivers and happened near the same location, underscoring ongoing safety concerns about high-risk behavior on the winding mountain highway that sees heavy recreational traffic and seasonal weather hazards. In the fatal wreck, investigators say one vehicle crossed the centerline, colliding head-on with another. The driver suspected of DUI was taken into custody at the scene after receiving treatment for minor injuries, while the other motorist was pronounced dead before transport.

Just hours later, WSP responded to a second DUI crash nearby. That driver, also suspected of being under the influence, reportedly lost control and struck a roadside barrier but survived. Authorities closed a section of Spirit Lake Highway in both directions temporarily for cleanup and investigation.

The incidents are a somber reminder of recurring DUI fatalities throughout Cowlitz County. Historically, stretches of SR 504 have seen a disproportionate share of serious collisions involving intoxicated or distracted drivers—often spiking on weekends or during tourist seasons. Friday’s twin crashes drew first responders from Toutle Fire, Cowlitz County Sheriff’s deputies, and WSP troopers, leaving local emergency personnel stretched thin for much of the evening.

While enforcement remains a central tool, public safety experts emphasize that prevention depends on community culture—neighbors looking out for one another, expanded transit options for impaired drivers, and social accountability. Every fatal DUI crash in Cowlitz County reflects the intersection of individual recklessness and systemic neglect—rural areas served by few taxis, no late-night buses, and limited patrol coverage. Until the region invests in sustainable public safety infrastructure, these tragedies will remain cyclical, predictable, and preventable.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the Washington State Patrol’s Vancouver office. As of Saturday morning, the names of those involved had not been released pending family notification.