WSP Vehicle Struck While Attending Accident on I-5 in Everett

In a significant incident this morning, a Washington State Patrol vehicle was rear-ended while responding to a car accident on I-5 near 118th St SE in Everett. Thankfully, neither the WSP officer nor the tow truck driver was present in their vehicles at the time and remained unharmed. The driver who rear-ended the patrol vehicle is suspected of driving under the influence and may have sustained injuries. Emergency measures were in place, with flares deployed and the patrol car’s lights flashing, as it blocked the HOV lane due to an earlier collision. The initial two-car accident happened shortly after 7:00 am, resulting in two left lanes of northbound I-5 being closed for nearly four hours.

Traffic backups stretched over four miles, causing significant delays on a Saturday morning. Trooper Kelsey Harding highlighted the importance of road safety, urging drivers to “MOVE OVER and DRIVE SOBER! ” This incident underscores the critical need for awareness and caution on the roads, especially when emergency vehicles are present.