Car hits dump truck parked along Highway 14 in Vancouver

A Portland man was hospitalized Tuesday after crashing into a dump truck that was parked along state Highway 14, then striking another vehicle, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The crash occurred at about 12:45 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the highway just west of Southeast Ellsworth Road in Vancouver.

Troopers said Geoffrey A. Kessler, 36, was driving west when he drifted onto the right shoulder, where the dump truck was parked, striking it. His 2006 Nissan Xterra then re-entered the highway and hit a 2002 Toyota 4Runner.

Kessler was injured and transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, where he was listed in satisfactory condition Tuesday, according to hospital staff.

The dump truck, driven by Travis J. Cheney, 44, of Gresham, Ore., had been “legally parked on the shoulder waiting for a tow truck” at the time of the crash, Finn said.

Cheney was not injured. Nor was the driver of the 4Runner, Michelle A. Lackey, 59, of Vancouver.

The crash blocked both westbound lanes of the highway for about 50 minutes, Finn said.