BELLINGHAM, Wash. — First responders were dispatched about 4:30am on Thursday, April 13th, to the northbound lanes of I-5 south of the S Samish Way interchange due to a report of a car vs semi-truck collision with the truck on its side.
As of 6am, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported the crash had resulted in closing both lanes of northbound I-5 in the area. Traffic was being diverted off I-5 at the Samish Way off-ramp.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Kelsey Harding told Whatcom News at 7:20am that the semi-truck’s trailer was hauling construction wood and trash and that no other vehicles were involved. She had no information as to how the crash occurred and there was no estimate for reopening any lanes while the process of clearing the semi-truck and trailer was continuing.
UPDATE 4/13/23 at 11:05am: Both lanes of I-5 northbound have been reopened.
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Click for more informationHarding said the driver was transported from the scene to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center by medical aid personnel.
A WSP press memo later said the 70-year-old driver had suffered a medical event before veering into a sign at the bottom of the Samish Way off-ramp and striking a guardrail before rolling.
Harding noted this was the second truck rollover on I-5 in 24 hours. The first occurred yesterday, about 5:45pm, in the northbound lanes of I-5 near the Nulle Road interchange and the Whatcom and Skagit County line.
Readers are encouraged to stay up to date on local driving conditions via the Whatcom News Traffic page.