Four hospitalized after suspected impaired driver crashes into Boulder Creek

Deputies located a gray Mitsubishi Lancer down an embankment, partially in Boulder Creek, with two passengers still inside. Photo courtesy Clark County Sheriff’s Office

The initial report came from an occupant of the vehicle who was self-described as ‘covered in blood’ and they reported at least one other person was still inside the vehicle, unconscious

All four occupants of a vehicle that crashed into Boulder Creek near Washougal Wednesday night were transported to area hospitals by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

On Wednesday (Jan. 25) at about 11:41 p.m., Clark County Sheriff’s deputies responded along with East County Fire Rescue and American Medical Response to a report of a serious injury motor vehicle collision along NE Boulder Creek Road near the Jones Creek trailhead in Clark County.

Clark County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Ehrenfelt works to extract the passengers trapped in a vehicle which crashed into Boulder Creek Wednesday night. Photo courtesy Clark County Sheriff’s Office — Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Ehrenfelt works to extract the passengers trapped in a vehicle which crashed into Boulder Creek Wednesday night. Photo courtesy Clark County Sheriff’s Office

The initial report came from an occupant of the vehicle who was self-described as “covered in blood” and they reported at least one other person was still inside the vehicle, unconscious.

Deputies located a gray Mitsubishi Lancer down an embankment, partially in Boulder Creek, with two passengers still inside. The deputies helped extricate the passengers who were evaluated by EMS at the scene. A preliminary investigation showed there had been four occupants in the vehicle when it was traveling west on NE Boulder Creek Road before leaving the roadway and entering Boulder Creek. The driver was identified as 23-year-old Ryan Shepherd, of Vancouver, and he exhibited signs of impairment at the scene.

A preliminary investigation showed there had been four occupants in the vehicle when it was traveling west on NE Boulder Creek Rd before leaving the roadway and entering Boulder Creek. Photo courtesy Clark County Sheriff’s Office

All four occupants were transported to area hospitals by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. A search warrant was executed for a sample of Shepherd’s blood. This case remains active pending further investigation by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and Traffic Homicide Unit.

Additional information will be released at a later date, pending further investigation. All suspects remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.