The Centralia Police Department is investigating a vehicular homicide that occurred around 9:30 a.m. on January 24, 2024. According to a media release from CPD, officers responded to a head-on collision in the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue. At the scene, officers discovered that three automobiles were involved in the crash.

CPD said the investigation revealed that 38-year-old Joshua Malchow was driving in a blue Honda Civic that was unreported stolen. While traveling north on Harrison Avenue at a high rate of speed, Malchow allegedly attempted to pass a semi-truck in the no-passing zone by veering into a lane of on-coming traffic.

Malchow reportedly collided head-on with a black Toyota Tacoma truck in the southbound lane. The Toyota was stuck from the rear by a black Mitsubishi Eclipse. When officers reached the scene, the elderly female driver of the Toyota was unconscious. She was taken to Centralia Providence Hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was airlifted to another hospital, but she did not survive her injuries.

Malchow suffered a head laceration. He was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for treatment. CPD said Malchow will be booked into the Lewis County Jail on a charge of Vehicular Manslaughter.