SR 18 reopens after over 7 hours for huge crash, fuel spill near Tiger Mountain Summit

KING COUNTY, Wash. — Both directions of Highway 18 have reopened after a major crash at the Tiger Mountain Summit.

Eastbound State Route 18 was blocked at Issaquah-Hobart Road and westbound SR 18 was blocked at Interstate 90. The eastbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18 was also closed.

At 3 p.m., Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson announced the roadway reopened.

Eastside Fire & Rescue first tweeted about the closure at 7:46 a.m. Thursday. The Washington State Department of Transportation said three semi-trucks and two passenger vehicles were involved in the crash, which happened in a narrow area of the highway.

SR 18 closed after huge crash, fuel spill near Tiger Mountain Summit

Crash closes Highway 18 at Tiger Mountain Summit The crash on the morning of July 13, 2023, involved 3 semi-trucks and 2 passenger vehicles, according to WSDOT. (WSP Trooper Rick Johnson)

Highway 18 closed by major crash at Tiger Mountain Summit (KIRO 7 News)

Multivehicle crash closes Highway 18 (Eastside Fire & Rescue)

Crash closes Highway 18 at Tiger Mountain Summit The crash on the morning of July 13, 2023, involved 3 semi-trucks and 2 passenger vehicles, according to WSDOT. (WSP Trooper Rick Johnson)

Multivehicle crash closes Highway 18 near Tiger Mountain Summit (Eastside Fire & Rescue)

Crash closes SR 18 at Tiger Mountain Summit (Trooper Rick Johnson)

Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson said two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Because a load of lumber is scattered across the road, the closure was expected to last for hours. About 300 gallons of diesel spilled as well.

“People traveling in the area also should expect lane reductions on westbound I-90 between Preston and Issaquah for a construction project,” WSDOT said in a news release.

Travelers were asked to avoid the area or expect long delays.