FERNDALE, Wash. — First responders were dispatched to the intersection of Slater Road and Ferndale Road due to a report of an injury crash about 11:30am today, Tuesday, January 18th.
Slater Road was closed between Imhof Road and LaBounty Drive. Ferndale Road was also closed to southbound traffic at Ulrich Road.
Approximate location of the crash
Initial reports from the scene were to expect the road closure to be in place for about a couple hours.
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Click for more informationWashington State Patrol Trooper Jacob Kennett told Whatcom News the crash occurred right after a funeral procession had finished passing through the intersection heading southbound on Ferndale Road and turning westbound onto Slater Road. A Lummi Nation Police officer who had been controlling traffic at the intersection while the procession passed was just returning to his vehicle when he saw a red 2005 Chevrolet Aveo southbound on Ferndale Road continue across Slater Road without stopping at the stop sign. A tanker truck and trailer eastbound on Slater Road t-boned the sedan on the passenger side.
The driver, identified as an 81-year-old Bellingham woman, was the only occupant of the Chevrolet and was declared dead at the scene. It was determined she had not been wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash.
The truck driver was not injured.
Kennett said it appeared the victim was not part of the funeral procession.
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Click for more informationThe speed limit on Slater Road at that intersection is 50mph.
As of 1pm, Kennett said they were halfway through their scene investigation which requires closing the road.
Slater and Ferndale Roads were both reopened to all traffic about 3pm.
This story was updated at 2:30pm with information from a WSP press memo regarding the incident.
Thank you Whatcom News once again for much needed, almost real time local news with no stereotyping divisive rhetoric. I read it daily.
Sending my heartfelt thoughts, prayers if you call it that, to victims, rescuers and their families as they face the process of recovering from the trauma of this event.
If it is who I was told.
Then she was part of the funeral precession.
Love and hugs for her family.
She was DEFINITELY part of the funeral procession. She was like one of our own adopted Lummi Nation Family Members. Love her dearly R.I.P Sweet angel
Something really needs to be done to make that intersection safer. Too much heartbreak! My sincere condolences to the lady’s family and friends. Prayers for all who knew her. 🙏
Wow, I can’t believe how this is coming across. Maggie was a well respected woman that loved my tribe and the members. She was at the funeral and was helping the family bring my late auntie to her final resting place. Maggie was definitely apart of the many people on their way to the cemetery.
I’m so sorry Maggie, God bring your soul home. She was a beautiful woman and cared for everyone.
Condolences to family & friends of this beloved woman…may shared happy memories of her help you find comfort in the days ahead as you grieve.🥺🌹
Bye baby will be seeing you again someday. Missing you until then. 🥰