SEATTLE — The Washington State Transportation Commission voted Tuesday to rename the Skagit River Bridge for State Patrol Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr., who died nearby in an accident while directing traffic through detours set up after the bridge collapsed.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers and emergency personnel attended Trooper O'Connell's memorial and more than 500 law enforcement vehicles temporarily shut down parts of Interstate Five during a procession from Smokey Point south to Comcast Arena in Everett.
See photos of the procession here and raw video of the procession here.
PHOTOS: Scenes from trooper's memorial
VIDEO: Photo montage of Trooper O’Connell’s life
RAW VIDEO: Firefighters raise flag for trooper's procession
During its meeting in Seattle, the Transportation Commission voted to rename the bridge the Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr. Memorial Bridge.
The change was requested by lawmakers from the 40th legislative district, as well as the chief of the State Patrol and local and state government officials.
Transportation Commission Chairman Dan O'Neal says the decision was unanimous and enthusiastic.
KIRO
