More than 10 vehicles involved in Bellevue crash that ruined morning commute

The number of vehicles involved in a crash on I-405 Tuesday morning just kept growing.

High winds knock out power

Initial reports showed eight to 10 vehicles smashed into each other on the highway just north of NE 8th Street in Bellevue. That number then increased to 11.

By the time 8 a.m. rolled around, the total was up to 15.

This sounds like two collisions that total 15 vehicles. pic.twitter.com/VzIPfzuzma

— Trooper Chris Webb (@wspd2pio) November 17, 2015

Then it was back down to 11, by 9:34 a.m.

The final score for I-405/NE 10th: two collisions; 11 vehicles. Great work by Trooper Scott Genoway and Trooper Bree Barton!

— Trooper Chris Webb (@wspd2pio) November 17, 2015

The crash blocked all lanes of northbound I-405.

Drivers were using the right shoulder to get around, but crews had to shut that down to clear debris. The commute from Federal Way to Bellevue increased to more than an hour and there was a 10-mile backup.

“The freeway is all but closed down,” KIRO Radio traffic reporter Chris Sullivan said during the morning mess.

There were some injuries, Washington State Trooper Chris Webb said. However, none “appear serious,” he later reported.

The road began to reopen around 7:30 a.m., with at least the toll lane remaining closed. Several tow trucks were called to the scene.

This is a multi car collision on 405 NB north of NE 8th blocking part of the rt lane and all of the rt center lane pic.twitter.com/5CX5osFsl6

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) November 17, 2015

Now blocking the toll lane too for this collision on 405 NB n of NE 8th pic.twitter.com/sik6KBkiby

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) November 17, 2015

NEW: Now ALL lanes close on 405 NB north of NE 8th. 8-10 car collision. CAN get around on rt shoulder. pic.twitter.com/qYnuJ8vNNa

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) November 17, 2015