First responders were dispatched about 4:45pm today, January 8th, to the northbound lanes of I-5 between the Main Street and Portal Way interchanges due to a report of a multi-vehicle crash.
Both lanes of northbound I-5 were reported blocked when they first arrived according to unconfirmed radio transmissions. First responders were quick to move the crashed vehicles off the bridge and to the shoulder in order to open both northbound lanes.
Within 15 minutes of the initial dispatches, evening commute traffic was backed up 2 miles to the Smith Road interchange as many drivers were seeking alternate routes around the Marine Drive and Slater Road closures. As of 5:30pm the backup extended to the I-5 and Bakerview Road interchange in Bellingham.
Washington State Patrol are investigating what was reported to be 1 or more crashes involving 9 vehicles.
Whatcom County Fire District 7 Division Chief Ben Boyko said they had a few patients from 9 vehicles and all were able to be treated at the scene and released.