Woodland, WA (August 31, 2026) – A 61-year-old Seattle man was hurt Saturday afternoon, August 29, after five vehicles became involved in a pileup on southbound I-5 near Woodland.
Emergency units were sent shortly after 12:30 p.m. to the Lewis River Bridge, where five vehicles were found involved. The wreck began when a Subaru SUV driven by 19-year-old Thatcher Burkart of Portland approached slowing traffic but failed to stop, according to the initial report.
The Subaru struck traffic ahead, setting off a chain reaction involving a Nissan Sentra, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback, and GMC Sierra pickup truck. The 61-year-old Nissan driver was taken to a hospital, while a 27-year-old Yakima woman, a 47-year-old Longview man, and a 44-year-old Normandy Park man were not hurt.
Burkart was cited for following too closely. The vehicles involved sustained varying levels of damage in the collision.
The investigation into the accident remains underway as additional details are reviewed.
Our thoughts are with the driver who was hurt and everyone affected by the crash.
What Should Drivers Know About Multi-Vehicle Pileups?
Multi-vehicle pileups can develop quickly when traffic slows on a busy highway. Drivers may have only a few seconds to react, making safe following distances especially important.
Keeping enough space between vehicles gives drivers more time to brake when traffic changes ahead. Motorists should also remain alert for sudden slowdowns, especially near bridges, highway merges, and congested stretches.
After a collision, drivers should move to a safe place when possible and avoid standing near active traffic lanes. Photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible traffic patterns can help document what happened. Medical records may also provide details about injuries that require treatment after a highway accident.
