Two children, 7 and 9, sent to hospital after I-5 crash

Two children were rushed to a hospital with injuries late Thursday night after the driver of the car they were riding in lost control on Interstate 5 near Ridgefield and hit a tree.

Drugs or alcohol were a factor, troopers said.

A 7-year-old Vancouver boy, Ohriyon Cuffie, suffered facial lacerations and possible internal injuries. A 9-year-old Vancouver girl, Jawriah Cuffie, suffered a facial fracture, and closed head and chest injuries.

Both were in serious condition Friday morning at Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The crash happened about 11:20 p.m. as 27-year-old Brenzell Lightner of Vancouver was driving a Toyota Corolla south on the freeway.

Near the Gee Creek rest area at milepost 11, troopers said Lightner lost control of the car in heavy rain, left the freeway and hit a tree.

Lightner was treated and released at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Her adult passenger, Lamar Cuffie, 32, of Vancouver was also taken to the hospital with neck and chest pain. He was treated and released.

All four people were wearing seat belts, according to a state patrol news bulletin.

The case is still under investigation, according to the bulletin.