Two people were hurt after three vehicles collided in a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 205 in Vancouver late Thursday afternoon.
According to the Washington State Patrol, Levi J. Barnett, 37, of Washougal, and Sheila M. Schmidt, 56, of Vancouver, were heading north on the highway shortly before 5 p.m., near Milepost 29.
They slowed down for traffic ahead when a driver in a third vehicle, Tommy D. Ritchie, 58, of Vancouver, got distracted and struck the rear of Barnett’s minivan, according to the state patrol.
The impact knocked Barnett’s minivan into the rear of Schmidt’s SUV, troopers said.
Ritchie and Barnett were taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center for their injuries. A passenger riding with Barnett, Jennifer A. Barnett, 44, also of Washougal, was also hurt, but was not transported.
Levi Barnett was discharged the same day, according to the hospital. Ritchie’s specific condition was not available, but the hospital said he was stable and not critical.
Troopers blamed the crash on inattention on Ritchie’s part, and he was cited for driving too fast for the conditions.
The crash totaled both Ritchie’s Honda Civic two-door and Barnett’s Honda Odyssey minivan, according to the state patrol.
