Head-on collision clogs I-5

Photo by Washington State Patrol The driver of this SUV drove the wrong way on the Interstate 5 southbound ramp to the Ridgefield Fairgrounds, crashing head-on into a big rig. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants.

By Patty Hastings
Columbian staff writer

Originally published February 12, 2013 at 4:11 p.m., updated February 12, 2013 at 8:41 p.m.

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A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI Tuesday afternoon after her small SUV crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer on the Interstate 5 offramp to the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds in Ridgefield.

Around 3:40 p.m. the big rig was taking the southbound off-ramp to Northeast 179th Street while the SUV was going north on the ramp, getting on the freeway going the wrong direction, said Trooper Will Finn, spokesman for the Washington State Patrol. The driver was trying to navigate her way home to Ridgefield, he said.

She suffered minor injuries in the crash and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Fuel leaked from the big rig and Fire District 6 was dispatched to a vehicle fire. No fire was found when crews arrived, Finn said.

The right lane of I-5 southbound was blocked, backing up traffic four to five miles, Finn said. The Exit 9 ramp was closed and the Washington State Department of Transportation assisted with traffic control.

The collision was cleared just before 5 p.m., according to WSDOT.

The woman’s name was not released.

The Washington State Patrol will investigate the incident.