Two people injured in 3-vehicle, rear-end collision north of Battle Ground

Two people were hurt in a three-vehicle, rear-end crash on state Highway 503 about a mile north of Battle Ground Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Washington State Patrol, Luke A. Grant, 31, of Battle Ground was heading south on Highway 503 around 2:45 p.m.

Ahead of him, Brigit M. Sanderson, 50, of Yacolt, had stopped for traffic ahead, near Roper Road.

The State Patrol said Grant failed to stop in time and struck Sanderson’s vehicle from behind. The impact forced Sanderson’s car into the northbound lanes, where it hit an oncoming car.

That impact then sent Sanderson’s car and the third car into a guardrail.

Sanderson and a passenger in the third car — Jennifer L. Withee-Heine, 49, of Yacolt — were hurt, troopers said.

An ambulance took Sanderson to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, and she was discharged Tuesday evening. Withee-Heine’s husband took her to a hospital, according to the State Patrol. Her condition was not available.

Troopers blamed excessive speed for the crash, and cited Grant.