WSP trooper’s vehicle struck by drunk driver during I-5 accident response
Mar 20, 2026, 9:35 AM
A side-by-side photo of the vehicles damaged in the collision on I-5. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Patrol)
(Photo courtesy of the Washington State Patrol)
A Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper’s car was struck by an intoxicated driver while responding to a crash on northbound I-5 in Cowlitz County on Friday morning.
WSP troopers were on the scene of a collision that was blocking the left two lanes of I-5 when a passenger car struck the rear of a patrol vehicle, WSP Trooper Dakota Russell announced.
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Driver arrested for DUI after crashing into WSP vehicle on I-5 in Cowlitz County
Trooper Russell noted that the causing driver was arrested for driving under the influence.
UPDATE: Roadway is fully opened at this time. Thank you for your patience.
The causing driver in the passenger car was arrested for DUI. https://t.co/CktHhUCkIe
— Trooper Dakota Russell (@wspd5pio) March 20, 2026
It remains unclear whether any WSP troopers were inside the vehicle at the time of the collision. No information was provided for potential injuries.
The initial collision WSP responded to occurred just before 3 a.m. on I-5 near Powell Road, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced.
Hours later, at 6:45 a.m., traffic was being diverted off exit 49.
The roadway was fully reopened at approximately 8:11 a.m. after all lanes of northbound I-5 were previously blocked at milepost 49.
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