Authorities report 22 vehicles were involved in a Thursday accident that blocked all the southbound Interstate 5 lanes at milepost 60 near Exit 59-Cowlitz River in Toledo for hours.
The accident occurred at 11:38 a.m., one opened at about 3 p.m., and the rest as of 5:20 p.m. at the exit for RiversEdge Lodge & RV Park.
Six people were transported to nearby hospitals, including two who were taken to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper and spokesperson Will Finn. He did not provide further details on the injured people like their names, ages or cities of residence.
All lanes on I-5 north at milepost 56, south of Jackson Highway in Castle Rock, also closed Thursday afternoon due to a disabled semitruck, as snow and ice hit the region.
The Washington State Department of Transportation warned of both delays on social media at about 12:30 p.m., stating there was no estimated time to reopen. The northbound lanes reopened at about 2:30 p.m., according to the department.
Crews were working to clear the roadway as other semi-trucks experienced traction issues, with many stopping to chain their tires on the roadway.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Offices urges drivers to not use alternate routes off the freeway during such slowdowns. The department says those roads, parallel to I-5 — such as West Side Highway, Old Pacific Highway North and Bond Road — are also facing high traffic due to slick roads and other collisions.
