According to investigators, a driver traveling southbound made a lane change and collided with another vehicle traveling southbound. The impact caused the second driver to lose control and the vehicle slammed into the freeway barrier
Lewis County, WA – Four people were injured in a hit-and-run collision on Interstate 5 near Napavine in Lewis County on Friday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The two-vehicle collision took place in the southbound side of I-5 at about 9:40 a.m. on Friday, January 16.
According to investigators, a driver traveling southbound made a lane change and collided with another vehicle traveling southbound. The impact caused the second driver to lose control and the vehicle slammed into the freeway barrier.
The second vehicle then overturned and came to a rest on the left shoulder. The driver who caused the crash failed to stop and continued traveling south after the collision.
The WSP and firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after and attended to the injured parties.
Four people were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital with unspecified injuries. Among the injured parties were a man and a woman from Longview, a 31-year-old woman from Centralia, and a minor.
The driver who left the scene was yet to be located. A description of the vehicle or the hit-and-run motorist were not immediately available.
The Washington State Patrol is investigating the accident.
Traffic-related deaths in Lewis County have remained a serious concern, averaging 11 fatalities annually between 2021 and 2023. The situation worsened as it reached its highest point in 2022, when 17 lives were lost due to traffic collisions. Data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) shows that a large share of these fatal crashes occurred on state highways, with Interstate 5 ranking among the most dangerous roadways in the county.
These routes are particularly hazardous due to a combination of sharp curves and heavy traffic flow, including frequent semi-truck activity. Such conditions often lead to risky passing maneuvers, increasing the likelihood of vehicles veering into oncoming lanes. In addition to roadway design and traffic volume, contributing factors commonly include impaired driving, excessive speed, unsafe passing, and driver distraction. Motorists are strongly encouraged to stay alert, especially when traveling through high-risk areas like I-5, to reduce the chances of being involved in a devastating crash.
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