FERNDALE, Wash. — First responders were dispatched to the 5900 block of Portal Way, west of the southbound I-5 on- and off-ramps roundabout about 6:40am this morning, November 27th, due to a report of a single-vehicle crash.
Ferndale Police, Whatcom County Fire District 7, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol personnel all responded to the scene. According to WSP Trooper Heather Axtman, while the vehicle was located on Portal Way, near the entrance to the Edaleen’s Dairy parking lot, the crash occurred on the northbound I-5 Portal Way off-ramp.
Tire tracks showed the vehicle, a 1999 Ford Explorer, went off the left side of the off-ramp and rolled. Apparently, the driver was then able to drive back onto the off-ramp and continue westbound on Portal Way to the point where first responders located the vehicle.
The Ford had heavy damage on the driver side of the roof and windshield and both right-side tires had been destroyed leaving the vehicle resting on the metal wheels.
Axtman said the driver told first responders he did not remember much about the crash and was not certain if there had been someone else with him in the vehicle. Attention then moved to the crash site until it was determined there was no other victim.
The driver, identified by Axtman as a 29-year-old male, was transported by aid to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The driver was expected to be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) according to Axtman.