Latest News, News Five people were injured in a two-vehicle, head-on collision on state Highway 14, east of Washougal on Saturday, Feb. 12, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The crash closed the westbound lanes of the highway for about three hours.
WSP reported that a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck driven by Shawn LaBuff, 28, of Vancouver, was traveling east on the highway near Milepost 19 when LaBuff allegedly attempted to pass another vehicle in the westbound lane. The pickup collided with a westbound 1997 Jeep Cherokee.
A passenger in the pickup, identified as Mariah Lucas, 23, of Keizer, Oregon, was injured and life-flighted to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.
WSP reported that LaBuff, the pickup’s driver, was injured but declined medical aid.
WSP said the Jeep’s driver and two passengers, identified as Brett Merritt, 36, Jenny O’Connor, 35, and Samuel Russell, 37, all of Vancouver, were injured and taken to local hospitals.
Troopers cited passing in the oncoming lane as the cause of the crash. No drugs or alcohol were involved, according to the WSP news release.
