MYNORTHWEST NEWS

‘Never seen anything like it,’ says trooper after semi-truck folds car in half in collision

Nov 16, 2021, 1:33 PM | Updated: Nov 17, 2021, 11:56 am

Semi truck collision...

A semi-truck folded a car in half in a Tuesday collision on I-5. (State Trooper Rocky Oliphant, Twitter)

(State Trooper Rocky Oliphant, Twitter)

“There’s really not a word to describe this collision.” That’s according to Washington State Trooper Rocky Oliphant, after a stunning incident where a semi-truck folded a Nissan Altima in half along I-5 over the Skagit River.

WSDOT workforce shortage could mean more closed roads this winter

According to Trooper Oliphant, the semi-truck struck the Altima from behind, before eventually coming to rest on top of the flattened vehicle. “Miraculously,” there were only minor injuries reported, he noted, despite the driver of the folded car being trapped in their vehicle while awaiting rescue from responders.

The incident defied precedent for the state trooper, which was said to have occurred as a result of traffic “causing the bridge to move,” combined with an “unstable” semi-truck.

Follow traffic alerts on MyNorthwest

“In my 14 year career, I have never seen anything like it,” Oliphant said.

Traffic along the roadway was blocked for roughly 45 minutes, after a tow truck was able to lift the semi-truck enough to free the car below.

MyNorthwest News

shooting bullets south seattle neighborhood...

Brandon Thompson, KIRO 7 News

For this South Seattle Neighborhood, it’s not the first time their homes have been hit by bullets

A South Seattle neighborhood is once again dealing with the aftermath of gunfire after a shootout left multiple homes and vehicles damaged Tuesday night.

12 hours ago

tulalip tribes sonics...

Ranji Sinha, KIRO 7 News

Tulalip Tribes in talks to bid for Sonics return to Washington

The Tulalip Tribes confirmed it’s in discussions about joining a bid to bring the Sonics back to Washington, but with a stadium potentially in Marysville.

12 hours ago

federal way...

MyNorthwest Staff

‘You knew what you were selling’: Federal Way man sentenced to 9 years in fentanyl conspiracy

A 22-year-old Federal Way man was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute mass amounts of fentanyl.

1 day ago

wild waves amusement park season...

Aaron Granillo

Last splash: Wild Waves closing for good after 50 years

It's the last splash at Wild Waves in Federal Way.

1 day ago

kent rape kidnapping fentanyl...

Frank Lenzi

Kent man wanted for rape, kidnapping arrested in drug bust

A Kent man wanted for rape and kidnapping in King County was arrested Sept. 2.

1 day ago

Seattle mayor katie wilson...

KIRO Newsradio staff

‘S*** happens’: Seattle mayor’s office texts reveal scramble over optics, officials brushing off inaccurate information after Bite of Seattle shooting

Internal text messages released from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's office show staff debating whether the mayor should appear.

1 day ago

‘Never seen anything like it,’ says trooper after semi-truck folds car in half in collision