Vancouver woman cited after chase, crash on I-205

A Vancouver woman was cited after she chased a pickup truck on Interstate 205 and caused a crash, according to Washington State Patrol.

Casandra Meridieth, 25, of Vancouver called 911 at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday as she was driving a 2007 Chevrolet minivan south on I-205, reporting to dispatchers that she was following her own yellow Ford Ranger, which had been stolen, Trooper Will Finn said.

The two vehicles were traveling in the center lane of the highway. The Ranger took a left turn from the highway onto an emergency vehicle cut-through, which connects with northbound I-205, and the minivan followed, Finn said.

When the minivan turned, it crashed into a black Ford Ranger traveling in the left lane of southbound I-205, Finn said.

The minivan lost a tire but managed to reach the northbound lanes of I-205, where it apparently stopped and blocked the yellow Ford Ranger, Finn said.

Troopers quickly learned that Meridieth’s yellow Ford Ranger wasn’t stolen, but in the process of being repossessed, Finn said.

One lane of Interstate 205 was blocked in both directions for about 20 minutes, Finn said.

A passenger in the minivan, Michael Meridieth, 35, of Vancouver was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center to be evaluated after reporting some neck pain, Finn said.

Casandra Meridieth was cited on suspicion of second-degree negligent driving.