Man arrested on suspicion of vehicular assault for crash north of Battle Ground

A man involved in a head-on collision north of Battle Ground in late September has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular assault. 

John C. Clifford, 39, of Battle Ground, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Clark County Jail, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office announced.

Following a lengthy investigation and reconstruction of the crash scene, traffic unit Detective Ryan Preston found that Clifford was under the influence of alcohol, according to the sheriff’s office. Clifford was also allegedly going faster than the 50-mph speed limit on Northeast Gable Avenue, a rural road near Fargher Lake. 

Clifford “was in the oncoming lane when the Chevrolet coupe he was driving struck the Nissan SUV driven by Lori Anchors and occupied by two children, causing Anchors significant injury,” the sheriff’s office said. 

Deputies previously said that four people were seriously injured in the crash, which occurred about 4:15 p.m. in the 33800 block of Northeast Gable Avenue.

Clifford was traveling south when he crossed over the centerline of the roadway and struck Anchors, 61, of Battle Ground, according to a sheriff’s office statement. The roadway was closed for a little more than three hours during the investigation.

Clifford was taken to a hospital via a Life Flight helicopter, while Anchors and the two children riding with her were transported via ambulance to local hospitals.