Oregon man killed in wrong-way crash on I-5 north of Woodland

An Oregon man was killed in a wrong-way crash north of Woodland on Interstate 5 on Thursday night, which closed the northbound lanes of the freeway for hours, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Billy L. Wells, Jr., 62, of Estacada, Ore., was killed in the two-vehicle crash about 8:30 p.m., according to a State Patrol crash memo.

Dillon G. Smith, 28, of Castle Rock was injured and transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Smith faces DUI allegations in the crash, according to the agency.

The Washington State Department of Transportation said all northbound lanes of the free way were closed until about 11 p.m. for the investigation.

According to the State Patrol, Wells was southbound in the northbound lanes of I-5 near Cloverdale Road in a 2006 Mercury sedan when he struck Smith’s 2003 Chevy Suburban head on in the right lane.

Wells’ vehicle ended up on the left shoulder, while the suburban landed in the left lane.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

Wells was declared dead at the scene.

The crash is being investigated by the State Patrol.