Fatality Collision - 09/20/25

On 09/20/25 at approximately 00:13 a Kelso police officer observed a gold 2005 Nissan Altima driving erratically within the city limits of Kelso.  The vehicle was observed swerving into the oncoming lane of traffic, nearly striking the curb in the opposite lane.  The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle for suspicion of the driver being DUI.  The vehicle refused to stop, and continued north on N. Kelso Ave.  The vehicle stopped briefly near the I-5 milepost 40 north bound on ramp and then fled at a high rate of speed north on the freeway.  The officer briefly pursued the vehicle north on the freeway.  The officer observed the vehicle attempt to pass a semi-tractor trailer on the left shoulder, at which time the vehicle was involved in a collision.  When the officer arrived at the collision scene, the Nissan Altima was found in the freeway median between the north and south bound lanes unoccupied.  The officer then observed that traffic in the south bound lanes of the freeway had slowed and observed a male subject laying in the center lane of the south bound lanes.  Officers provided first aid to the subject until medical personnel from Cowtliz 2 Fire/Rescue arrived on scene and pronounced the male deceased.  The collision investigation is being handled by the Washington State Patrol.  The identity of the 27-year-old male is being withheld until notification can be made to his next of kin.