The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is looking for witnesses to the Feb. 25 hit-and-run collision on Interstate 5 that led to a Kelso woman being transported to Providence Centralia Hospital.
According to WSP, Melissa E. Olmstead, 51, was driving alone in a red 2015 Nissan Rogue heading southbound on I-5 at about 5:50 p.m. Feb. 25 when she attempted to pass an unknown maroon full-size pickup truck near milepost 66.
That pickup truck sped up and struck Olmstead’s Nissan, causing her vehicle to strike the center median and roll, before coming to a rest and blocking both lanes, according to troopers.
The pickup truck and its unknown occupants continued southbound without stopping.
“Initial information indicates the pickup likely sustained damage to the front passenger side,” a news release from WSP stated on Feb. 27.
Olmstead, who was wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision, sustained undisclosed injuries. The Nissan was considered totaled.
Troopers said the cause of the accident was a failure to yield. It is unknown whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
The incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to Detective Conor Schwilke at Conor.Schwilke@wsp.wa.gov.
