A police pursuit in Lewis County Tuesday morning ended in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 5 that injured two people and temporarily blocked southbound lanes.

According to a Washington State Patrol press memo, the crash occurred around 10:49 a.m. Tuesday (March 3, 2026) on northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 81, just south of Centralia.

Investigators say Castle Rock Police Department officers were pursuing a vehicle northbound on I-5 when the suspect vehicle collided with traffic ahead of it.

The vehicle being pursued, identified as a 2014 Nissan Altima, struck the rear of a 2024 Ford F-150 traveling northbound in lane two. After the impact, the Nissan continued forward, struck the jersey barrier, and overturned into the southbound lanes of I-5.

Debris from the crash was then struck by a southbound 2013 Honda Accord, causing additional damage.

The Nissan ultimately came to rest on its roof, blocking the southbound lanes of Interstate 5.

Injuries

The driver of the Nissan, 20-year-old Marc-Anthony D. Houston of Kent, was injured and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital.

A passenger in the vehicle, 19-year-old Uleja S. Hale of Kent, was also injured and taken to the hospital.

Two other passengers in the Nissan — including a 14-Month-old juvenile and 20-year-old Darius J. Robertson of Auburn — were not injured, though they were evaluated at the hospital.

Drivers of the other vehicles involved — 51-year-old Jeffrey C. Barnes of Tenino and 76-year-old David K. Hansen of Fox Island, along with his passenger 71-year-old Debra A. Hansen — were not injured.

Investigation

Washington State Patrol reports that drugs or alcohol are believed to be involved, though the cause of the collision remains under investigation. Charges related to the incident are also still being reviewed.

The crash involved three vehicles, with the Nissan Altima reported as totaled, while the Ford F-150 and Honda Accord sustained reportable damage.

Traffic in the area was impacted as crews worked to clear the overturned vehicle and debris from the roadway.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident.