Multiple Freeway Crashes This Morning (Photo)
- 08/14/25
It’s been a busy morning on Clark County freeways—and not in a good way.
Firefighters with Clark County Fire District 6 earlier responded to a dump truck rollover crash on I-205, near the 134th Street exit. The crash involved the dump truck and a red Honda SUV, and happened at about 9:30 this morning. Although the vehicles were not blocking the freeway, the crash still locked up I-205 in both directions. One witness said the truck blew a tire and went off the road.
There were no serious injuries. The dump truck driver said he had just fueled the truck and it contained about 100 gallons of diesel. Fortunately, CCFD6 crew were able to stop the fuel leak, as well as an antifreeze leak. The fluids will likely be drained before the truck is removed.
Prior to this crash our crews responded to a four-car wreck on I-5 southbound, just south of the Fairgrounds exit. After that they doused a car fire on I-5 south farther north.
I-5 southbound has been troublesome since an early morning crash on the I-5 bridge.
16-year-old Swimmer Drowns In The Columbia River (Photo)
- 08/14/25
Despite a herculean effort from numerous rescue agencies, a 16-year-old swimmer drowned last night in the Columbia River at Frenchman’s bar.
According to witnesses, the 16 year old was swimming towards a nearby wing dam in the river when he suddenly went underwater and failed to resurface. They estimated he was about 20 yards offshore at the time.
At the same time, Vancouver Fire was called to a two-alarm fire, so resources were stretched thin. The Battalion Chief from Clark County Fire District 6, along with Vancouver Fire Engine 3 and Fireboat 1 self-assigned to the report of a possible drowning.
In addition to those agencies, rescuers from Clark-Cowlitz Fire and Rescue, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Vancouver Police Department, the Clark County Technical Rescue Team, Portland Fire and Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard searched for the missing swimmer. In all, four boats, 7 rescue swimmers, one helicopter and multiple fire engines and squads participated in the search.
Despite their best efforts, by 9 p.m. the situation shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation. The identity of the drowning victim will be released at a later date.
Conditions in the Columbia River at Frenchman’s Bar are known to be treacherous, and authorities urge caution for those who choose to swim there. The current is swift in this section of the river and there is a large drop-off just offshore. Historically there have been a number of drownings in this part of the river.
