A Winlock man is facing possible vehicular assault and DUI charges after he allegedly caused a three-vehicle crash that closed southbound Interstate 5 in Thurston County for over seven hours Sunday night.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) was dispatched to the crash at approximately 9:42 p.m. on Feb. 1.
According to a WSP incident report, Bryan D. Watterson, 32, was driving a white 2019 Toyota RAV4 southbound in the center lane of southbound I-5 just north of milepost 96 when he rear-ended a black 2000 Jeep Cherokee driven by Michael S. Tolman, 38, of Puyallup.
After being struck, the Jeep swerved into the right lane, where it was struck by a semi-truck.
The Jeep came to rest facing the wrong way on the right shoulder. Tolman was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and is also facing possible DUI charges, according to WSP. He was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital for medical treatment.
The semi also came to rest on the right shoulder. The driver, identified by WSP as Oscar R. Pereira Ortiz, 37, of Burien, was not injured.
The Toyota came to rest in the left lane. Watterson and his passenger, identified by WSP as Katelyn A. Watterson, 31, of Winlock, were not injured.
The roadway was closed for a total of seven hours and seven minutes following the crash, according to WSP.
The Toyota and the Jeep were both totalled.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to WSP.
Investigators have determined that drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.
