WSDOT worker’s truck hit in I-5 crash

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — A WSDOT worker’s truck was hit while he blocked traffic on I-5 from an earlier accident.

The Incident Response Team truck was parked to block the HOV lane, to protect the accident investigation underway on southbound I-5 at t 164th St SW in Lynnwood. The WSDOT crew member was sitting inside.

“A vehicle drove past flares, struck a cone that was blocking the scene, then rear-ended the back of the Incident Response Truck,” said Trooper Rocky Oliphant.

The driver of the vehicle and the worker were both taken to Swedish Hospital in Edmonds.

Investigators say the WSDOT worker was not seriously injured and he’s expected to recover. The driver who caused the accident is more seriously injured. He will be cited for second-degree negligent driving.

This is the second WSDOT worker’s vehicle struck in the last four months. In May, an Incident Response Team worker’s truck was hit on I-405 in Bothell. That driver was believed to have been driving while impaired.

Troopers are asking drivers to be more careful, so is WSDOT.

“What happened today was completely preventable,” said WSDOT communication manager Bart Treece. “Our thoughts are with our employee and his family, and wish for a speedy recovery. WSDOT Incident Response Team crew members are dedicated to helping people on the highways. We need the public to watch out for road workers and emergency responders so everyone can go home unharmed at the end of the day.”

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