2 injured in 4-car pileup in Orchards

A Vancouver man suffered serious injuries, and another man also was hurt, during a pileup crash between four vehicles Wednesday in Orchards.

The crash occurred at about 4:20 p.m. while all four vehicles headed south on state Highway 503 near Northeast 87th Street, according to the Washington State Patrol.

All in the right lane, the first three vehicles stopped for traffic, but a white 1998 Mercedes 230 behind them did not stop in time, striking the back of a black 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, police said. The impact pushed the Equinox into a 2012 gold Chevrolet Malibu, and the Malibu into a 1998 green GMC pickup, according to the State Patrol.

The driver of the Mercedes, who police say caused the crash, was identified as Elvio R. Gonzalez, 50, of Vancouver, State Patrol said. He was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition Wednesday night.

The driver of the Equinox, Rafaela Lozano Lozano, 38, of Vancouver, was taken to the same hospital for treatment and was released Wednesday, officials said. Nobody else was hurt.

Police cited Gonzalez for speeding and driving without insurance, and he faces a charge of driving without an ignition interlock device, according to the State Patrol. Lozano Lozano was cited for driving without a license or insurance, the State Patrol said.