Three people were injured Friday night in a crash on Interstate 5 in Chehalis caused by an allegedly impaired driver who abruptly stopped in the roadway, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Katrina R. Aldridge, 36, of Moses Lake, is facing a possible charge of vehicular assault as drugs or alcohol are believed to have been a factor in the crash, which occurred at about 10 p.m. and resulted in the northbound lanes of the freeway being closed, according to the state patrol.
Aldridge was traveling north in a 2006 Acura at the Chamber Way overpass when she came to a stop in the left lane, according to the state patrol. A 2002 Honda Odyssey behind Aldridge driven by Matthew J. Gelder, 41, of Chehalis, struck the Acura, which hit a guardrail on the right shoulder and came to rest in a ditch, according to the state patrol. The Odyssey came to rest blocking the left lane.
Aldridge was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital for treatment. Gelder was not injured, but two of his passengers — Brianne N. Barnes, 37, and Bailey L. Gelder, 18, both of Napavine — were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital for treatment. A 15-year-old boy in the Odyssey was not injured.
All drivers and passengers were wearing seat belts, according to the state patrol.
Both vehicles were totaled.
