A fatal head-on collision shut down a section of US 101 in Clallam County on Sunday night, according to information released by the Washington State Patrol (WSP). The incident, while outside Cowlitz County, echoes ongoing statewide concerns about roadway safety and impaired or reckless driving trends that also affect southwest Washington.

Details published by WSP and summarized in reporting by MyNorthwest indicate the crash occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. near Palo Alto Road. Investigators say a 39‑year‑old Colorado man traveling westbound in a Chevy Silverado crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle head‑on.

According to WSP Trooper Katherine Weatherwax, the collision killed a 39‑year‑old man in the struck vehicle. A 34‑year‑old woman in the same vehicle was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center with serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries. The driver of the Silverado was also airlifted to Harborview; his current condition has not been released.

Trooper Weatherwax stated publicly that the Silverado driver is under investigation for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. WSP has initiated toxicology testing, which is standard procedure in fatal crashes where impairment or negligent driving is suspected.

The highway remained fully blocked for roughly seven hours and reopened shortly before 3 a.m., according to WSP.

Although the crash occurred on the Olympic Peninsula, similar incidents statewide continue to influence policy conversations in southwest Washington, where local agencies have emphasized impaired‑driving prevention, enforcement of lane‑discipline laws, and improved response coordination for rural highways.

Why this matters

US 101, SR 4, and other two‑lane highways common in Cowlitz County share similar risk profiles: limited lighting, narrow shoulders, and the absence of physical barriers separating opposing traffic. Statewide trends in fatal and serious‑injury collisions—particularly those involving suspected impairment—shape enforcement priorities and safety initiatives that directly affect Longview, Kelso, and the wider county.

WSP’s ongoing investigation is expected to clarify whether impairment, distraction, or another factor contributed to the driver crossing the center line. Those findings may inform future statewide safety recommendations.

Sources

Washington State Patrol: statements from Trooper Katherine Weatherwax
MyNorthwest: US 101 blocked for hours Sunday night after deadly head-on car crash