Two in critical condition after van rolls over, catches fire on I-5 near Northgate

Two men are in critical condition after their van rolled over the side of northbound I-5 near Northgate and caught fire on Friday morning.

The vehicle appeared to have rolled over the guardrail onto the side of the road and into a Sound Transit construction zone before catching fire. As the fire was being put out, the two passengers were rescued from the van by workers who were already on site.

“It ended up going over the barrier, rolling, immediately catching on fire. Some Sound Transit workers were in the area and they broke the windows out on the van and pulled the two subjects out, away from the fire,” Trooper Rick Johnson told KIRO Newsradio.

Nice work by these ⁦@SoundTransit⁩ contractors and ⁦@wsdot⁩ workers in the Northgate construction zone getting two people out of this flipped and burning work van. pic.twitter.com/j7t95jUxKg

— Chris Sullivan (@NEWSGUYSULLY) March 4, 2022

Johnson said on Twitter — before arriving to the scene — that the two occupants were removed from the vehicle with burns. They were conscious and alert but injured. No one else was injured.

The victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center. KIRO Newsradio has been told they are in critical condition as of Friday afternoon.

A witness says it’s possible the passenger van lost a tire.

Here is the scene. Lanes 1,2,3 and 4 blocked. Serious injuries at this point. I am on my way to the scene. pic.twitter.com/ZkLT2iyB17

— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) March 4, 2022

Crews worked to repair the concrete barrier following the collision, and three lanes near Northeast 117t Street were blocked for much of Friday morning. As of 1 p.m., the Washington State Department of Transportation said the roadway was clear.

CLEAR, collision blocking three right lanes on northbound I-5 at NE 117th St. Thanks for your patience! pic.twitter.com/WJHQYQiz6B

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) March 4, 2022

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