WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — First responders were kept busy overnight due to at least 5 crashes and nearly 800 Puget Sound Energy (PSE) customer addresses are without power due to 1 of those crashes.
Approximate locations of reported crashes
First responders were dispatched to a report of a car on fire in a ditch west of the railroad tracks near the intersection of E Badger Road (SR546) and Van Buren Road in Everson about 7:30pm, yesterday, October 9th. Washington State Patrol Trooper Rocky Oliphant said the fire was out when responders arrived but the car was still smoking. The driver was transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center with minor injuries and was arrested by WSP for suspicion of driving under the influence.
About 9:50pm, first responders were dispatched to the southbound lanes of I-5 near the northbound rest area in Custer due to a report of a rollover crash. According to WSP Trooper Kelsey Harding, a southbound 2008 Jeep Wrangler left the road and rolled about 3 times. The driver, the sole occupant, was transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center with minor injuries and was arrested by WSP for suspicion of driving under the influence.
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Click for more informationFirst responders were dispatched about 1:30am today after a passing BNSF train crew reported seeing a vehicle upside down in a ditch near the railroad crossing on Hovander Road in Ferndale. Harding said first responders found a white 2005 Dodge RAM truck partially submerged. The driver was unable to be located and the vehicle was considered abandoned.
A vehicle was reported to have struck a pole and rolled in the 2200 block of Eldridge Avenue in Bellingham about 1:40am today. According to emergency services radio transmissions from the scene, there was a vehicle on its roof and a search for the driver was conducted. Bellingham Fire Department officials did not immediately respond to a request for details regarding this crash.
A car versus pole crash in the 3500 block of Bennett Drive about 4:50am today left 787 PSE customer addresses without power. Initial unconfirmed reports from the scene were that the power pole had been sheered, was unstable and power lines were down. Harding said a 2007 BMW X3 SUV had failed to negotiate a curve and collided with the pole. It was estimated the BMW’s speed at the time from 50 to 55mph. The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center by ambulance. The driver was arrested by WSP for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Bennett Drive was closed between McLeod and Cherrywood as a result. Reports from the scene were to expect an extended road closure “through the day.”
As of 7:25am, PSE estimated power would be restored by 3pm today.
