Four-car chain collision injures five in Camas

A Monday afternoon chain-reaction collision on state Highway 14 in Camas injured five people and was caused by speed, officials say.

All four motorists were driving east on Highway 14 in the left lane between the Lady Island and Slough bridges when traffic abruptly slowed; the right lane was closed for construction, according to a memo from the Washington State Patrol.

At 4:19 p.m., Terry Wean, 57, of Washougal was driving her 2005 Pontiac Grand Am and hit the rear of a 1996 Ford Explorer driven by Tony A. Compher, 37, of Washougal. The Explorer was then pushed into a 1996 Lincoln Mark 8, driven by David J. Van Horn, 30, of Camas. The Lincoln then hit a 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer driven by Holly P. Ruth, 34, of Washougal, who was not injured, the patrol said.

Five people were injured, including two children riding in the Lincoln, the state patrol said. Compher was injured, but not taken to a hospital. His passenger, Michelle L. Compher, 37, of Washougal was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

Van Horn was privately transported to an area hospital, along with the two children, a girl and a boy.

Wean and Compher were cited for speeding too fast for the conditions. Van Horn was cited for speeding, driving with a suspended license and driving without insurance, the patrol said.