VANCOUVER, Clark County, Wash., Nov. 9, 2026 — Six people were injured early Saturday morning, November 7, in a three-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 5 near Exit 1C in Vancouver. The Washington State Patrol said speed and impairment were factors in the crash.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash happened at about 2:41 a.m. when a vehicle traveling northbound struck a second vehicle at a high rate of speed, pushing it into a third vehicle. All three vehicles came to rest on the shoulders of the freeway.
Two of the vehicles, described by investigators as a 2021 Mercedes and a 2016 Kia Forte, were damaged badly enough to be towed and impounded. A third vehicle, a 2007 Honda Fit, sustained damage that did not require towing, and its driver was not hurt.
All six people who were hurt, five from the lead vehicle and the driver of the second vehicle, were taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. The driver of the lead vehicle is suspected of driving under the influence and faces two counts of vehicular assault. Two passengers in that vehicle also face unrelated firearms and obstruction charges stemming from the stop.
The case remains under investigation. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a speedy recovery.
Local Crash Information for Vancouver, WA
The multi-vehicle crash was reported on I-5 in Vancouver. For more crash news from the area, see our latest Clark County crash news.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common signs of an impaired driver?
Signs can include erratic speed changes, weaving between lanes, delayed braking, and failure to use turn signals. Other drivers who notice this behavior are usually advised to keep distance and notify authorities rather than attempt to intervene.
How does alcohol affect a driver's ability to react?
Alcohol slows reaction time, narrows field of vision, and impairs judgment of speed and distance, all of which make it harder to respond to sudden changes in traffic.
Are early-morning hours riskier for impaired-driving crashes?
Crashes involving impaired driving tend to cluster in the late night and early morning hours, when traffic is lighter but drivers are more likely to have been drinking.
Is driving after just one or two drinks still risky?
Yes. Even blood alcohol levels below the legal limit can slow reaction time and affect coordination, so any amount of drinking before driving raises risk.
