Three people were killed in a two-car accident while fleeing from Cowlitz County deputies Tuesday night in Kelso.
The wreck occurred at about 8:35 p.m., near the intersection of South Pacific Avenue and Yew Street, according to Kelso police.
The fleeing vehicle struck another car, according to a Kelso police press release. The three people from the fleeing vehicle were killed, and two people from the other vehicle were injured.
Police have not released why the vehicle was being pursued.
Neither the identification of the victims nor the cause of the accident has been released either.
Trooper Will Finn, a spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol, said the agency's Major Accident Investigation Team will investigate the crash.
The state recently loosened its law on law enforcement vehicular pursuits.
The new law, effective June 6, allows law enforcement to follow vehicles based on reasonable suspicion of any crime or traffic violation, but must immediately tell a supervisor first.
In 2021, lawmakers made it harder for police to pursue people by requiring probable cause, meaning a higher level of evidence, and only when people are suspected of committing violent crimes, sex crimes or driving intoxicated; the law prohibits car chases for minor offenses, like theft.
