A four-vehicle collision on southbound Interstate 5 near milepost 16 in La Center sent three people to the hospital Friday afternoon, according to information attributed to the Washington State Patrol as reported by Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG. The crash occurred just before 4 p.m., when a Honda CR-V driven by a 73-year-old Vancouver woman struck slowing traffic, triggering a chain-reaction collision that left all vehicles at rest in the left lane.

WSP information reported by KLOG states that the driver of the CR-V, identified as Kathleen Bleth, was transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center along with two occupants of the first vehicle she struck, Bryan and Yuni Yu of DuPont. Other drivers and passengers, including Brian and Marcia McCoy of Kelso, were uninjured. All occupants were reportedly wearing seat belts.

According to the details attributed to the Washington State Patrol, speed too fast for conditions and suspected impairment were contributing factors. Bleth faces charges of DUI, reckless endangerment, and two counts of vehicular assault.

Why this matters

Interstate 5 is a critical transportation corridor for residents of Cowlitz County, and collisions involving suspected impairment continue to raise safety concerns across southwest Washington. Enforcement data and state safety campaigns have frequently highlighted impaired driving as a persistent regional hazard, underscoring ongoing risks for local commuters traveling between Longview, Kelso, and Clark County.

Sources

Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG News: Multi-Vehicle DUI Collision On I-5 Near La Center Involving Kelso Residents