CHOKEPOINTS

‘Slow down:’ Troopers respond to nearly 40 King County crashes Tuesday

Oct 8, 2024, 9:33 AM | Updated: 4:05 pm

I-5 commute crash...

Screengrab of WSDOT cameras recording the crash and slowdown on I-5. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

A four-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 5 (I-5) express lanes heading south Tuesday morning, causing the morning commute to slow to a standstill. The crash was just one of many as troopers responded to nearly 40 during the day.

The four-vehicle crash happened near Mercer Street in downtown Seattle, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), at approximately 7:45 a.m.

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Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Rick Johnson said the crash involved a semi-truck and three cars. The four left lanes were blocked for nearly an hour. By 8:37 a.m., all but one lane was able to reopen.

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Injuries were reported from the incident, according to KIRO 7, but the severity is unknown as of this reporting. Medics with the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) responded to the scene.

Johnson said crashes were seen across the county.

“WSP troopers in King County alone have responded to 38 collisions since 2:30 a.m. this morning,” he stated on  X. “Please slow down and adjust your speed for traffic and weather conditions.”

Johnson added to look for standing water on all roadways.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest and KIRO 7

Frank Sumrall is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here and you can email him here.

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‘Slow down:’ Troopers respond to nearly 40 King County crashes Tuesday