A Texas man faces a charge of driving under the influence for causing a five-car crash on an Interstate 5 offramp Wednesday evening, according to the Washington State Patrol.
James Lebakken, 46, of Canyon Lake, Texas, was driving a 2004 Ford Taurus north on I-5 and took the exit to 39th street at about 6 p.m., according to State Patrol. On the offramp, Lebakken failed to stop for motorists stopped at a red light and struck one vehicle, causing a chain reaction which involved three more vehicles, troopers said.
Brenda Veganava, 21, of Vancouver was the driver of the vehicle that was struck by the Taurus, troopers said. She was injured and taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, where she was treated and released.
Lebakken was injured but refused treatment. No one else was injured.
Troopers reported that speed caused the crash and that Lebakken faces a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants.
