Girl, 9, injured in I-5 crash dies in hospital

One of two children rushed to the hospital after late-night crash on Interstate 5 near Ridgefield on Thursday, March 29, has died in the hospital, a Washington State Patrol report said.

Jawriah B. Cuffie, who went by Breacia, suffered a facial fracture, and closed head and chest injuries in the crash. The 9-year-old Vancouver girl died Saturday at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Ohriyon C. Cuffie, 7, the other child sent to the hospital after the crash, was discharged Sunday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The crash happened around 11:20 p.m. Thursday on I-5 southbound near Ridgefield when Brenzell L. Lightner, 27, lost control of a 2006 Toyota Corolla in heavy rain and hit a tree in the median, state patrol said.

Drugs or alcohol were a factor, troopers said.

Lightner was treated and released at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

LaMarr Cuffie, 32, an adult passenger in the car, was also taken to the hospital with neck and chest pain. He was treated and released.

Troopers are still investigating the case, Tanner said.

A memorial page for Breacia Cuffie has been set up on Facebook.