Two sent to hospital after three-car crash

Two were hospitalized, including a 9-year-old girl, following a three-car crash on state Highway 503 just outside of Vancouver on Friday afternoon, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The three vehicles were driving north on the highway near Northeast 96th Street at about 5 p.m. when two of them stopped for traffic.

Anthony W. Schoeplein, 53, of Vancouver was driving a minivan and struck a second vehicle, driven by Shannon L. Karben, 39, of Vancouver.

The impact forced Karben’s SUV into a third car, a two-door driven by Alyssa H. Graves, 24, of Gresham, Ore., according to a WSP bulletin.

A third party took Karben to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, and an ambulance took the 9-year-old who had been riding with Schoeplein to PeaceHealth.

Schoeplein was uninjured, as were Graves and her sole passenger. Schoeplein’s second passenger was also uninjured.

The WSP bulletin said Schoeplein had been speeding, and he was cited for following too close.

PeaceHealth said Friday night that the girl had been released. Karben was in satisfactory condition and likely to be released soon, according to the hospital.