Police chase ends in I-5 collision, closure

KELSO, Wash. - A police chase on Interstate 5 near Kelso has ended in a collision, blocking the southbound lanes at milepost 39 in Washington.

Troopers say the car being chased was clocked on Interstate 5 doing 82 miles per hour in a 70 mile-per-hour zone. Instead of pulling over, the driver allegedly sped up - and took the exit at Allen Street.

Police tell KATU that the car was reported stolen out of Ritzville, Wash.

Washington State troopers in pursuit said they backed off when they "could tell" the driver was out of control. The driver crashed into a Kelso police vehicle in the area to help clear the intersection of other drivers.

Both the Kelso officer in that patrol car and the driver of the stolen car were injured. Both were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident blocked Interstate 5 near Kelso for several hours Saturday afternoon and evening. The on-ramp from State Route 4 and the Three Rivers Mall on-ramp to Interstate 5 also were blocked.