KALAMA, Cowlitz County, Wash., Oct. 13, 2026 — At least two people were hurt Monday evening, October 12, when four vehicles collided on southbound I-5 near Kalama, with one vehicle rolling over into the median, according to a state agency report.
The crash was reported around 6:59 p.m. near milepost 32 on southbound I-5, according to the report. One vehicle came to rest rolled over in the median, and the collision involved four vehicles in total, the report said.
By 7 p.m., officials confirmed injuries and said subjects involved were being transported from the scene. The number and severity of the injuries have not been released. It is not yet known how many people were in each vehicle or whether all occupants have been accounted for.
The highway reopened by about 9:30 p.m. once the scene was cleared, the report said. The crash disrupted traffic on southbound I-5 for roughly two and a half hours. What led to the collision remains under investigation, and no cause has been released.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
Rollover Crashes and the Numbers Behind Them
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 24 percent of fatally injured occupants in crashes classified as other, which were mostly rollovers, were belted in 2023. That figure points to a pattern seen across rollover crashes nationally: a large share of the people killed in them were not wearing a seat belt when the vehicle went over.
Rollovers make up a small share of all crashes but a larger share of fatal ones, in part because the vehicle's roof and sides are not built to absorb repeated impacts from multiple directions the way a front or side crash structure is. An occupant who is belted stays inside the survival space the cabin provides. One who is not belted is far more likely to be thrown within the vehicle or ejected entirely.
Highway speeds raise the stakes further. A rollover on an interstate typically involves more energy than one on a city street, which is one reason multi-vehicle crashes on highways like I-5 can turn into rollovers once a vehicle loses control or is struck at an angle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are rollovers more likely on certain kinds of roads?
Yes. Rollovers happen more often on highways and rural roads where speeds are higher, there is less traffic congestion to force slow speeds, and shoulders or medians give a vehicle room to trip and roll once it leaves the travel lane.
What injuries are common in rollover crashes?
Head, neck and spinal injuries are common, along with broken bones and injuries from being thrown against the roof or door frame. Unbelted occupants face a higher risk of being ejected.
What actually causes a vehicle to roll over?
Most rollovers happen when a vehicle's tires catch on pavement, a curb, soft shoulder or another object while the vehicle is sliding sideways, causing it to trip and flip. Sharp steering at speed, a blown tire, or being struck by another vehicle can all set this off.
Why do rollover crashes cause so much harm?
The vehicle's structure takes hits from multiple directions as it rolls, and unbelted occupants can be thrown around inside the cabin or ejected, which raises the chance of serious injury compared with a single-impact crash.
What to Do After a Rollover Crash in Kalama, WA
If you are involved in a multi-vehicle rollover, stay as still as possible until you are sure you can move safely, since spinal injuries are not always obvious right away. Call 911 even if injuries seem minor, and let responders check everyone in every vehicle before driving off.
Make sure to get a medical evaluation within a day or two even if you feel fine. Some injuries from a rollover, especially head and neck injuries, take hours or longer to show symptoms. Remember to keep copies of the police report, photos of the scene if it's safe to take them, and any medical records in case you need them later.
