Two people were taken to a hospital with serious injuries about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday after the Toyota pickup they were in rolled over on the state Highway 14 offramp from the Interstate 5 Bridge.
Authorities closed that ramp within minutes of the accident. The exit, which sends northbound I-5 traffic eastbound on Highway 14, was closed until 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The Washington State Patrol responded, as did the Vancouver Fire Department and an engine company from the Portland Fire Bureau. Vancouver Fire Capt. Dave James said he believed the two had life-threatening injuries.
“It looked like the pickup rolled over at least once and when it came to rest it was on its side and was on top of one of the occupants,” James said. “Bystanders stopped and pushed the truck back on its wheels and freed the person who was trapped.”
No other vehicles were involved.
Here’s what happened according to a WSP bulletin:
Mathew S. Wilson, 26, was driving the pickup onto the ramp from I-5 north to Highway 14. He lost control of the vehicle and hit the left concrete barrier. Wilson and his passenger, Jonathan Perry, 24, of Vancouver, were ejected from the pickup.
Perry came to a rest on the shoulder and the pickup rolled onto Wilson, said Trooper Will Finn, WSP spokesman. Moments later, bystanders arrived on the scene and rolled the car off Wilson, Finn said.
The two were sent to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, Finn said.
The crash was caused by speeding, WSP said.
Finn said alcohol was a contributing factor.
Wilson was cited for vehicular assault. State Patrol is trying to verify where he is from. The Toyota pickup had Montana plates.
