Updated on: 3/14/2022
A 20-year-old woman from Edmonds was reportedly killed in a collision Saturday morning after she swerved to avoid a mattress in the roadway and lost control of her vehicle.
According to local news reports, the woman was driving her Nissan sedan northbound on I-5 just before 7 a.m. when she came upon a mattress in the middle of the roadway. She lost control of the vehicle shortly after and was struck by a semi-truck driven by a 33-year-old man from Surrey, British Columbia.
The collision caused both vehicles to leave the roadway and come to rest in the grass median. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the semi-truck cooperated with investigators as they worked to determine the cause of the collision.
Witnesses reportedly told police that they saw the mattress fall out of the back of a small pickup truck that was hauling garbage and other household items.
Liability for Accidents Involving Roadway Debris
In Washington state, RCW 46.61.655 maintains that all drivers must properly secure their load while driving on a public highway. This law is designed to discourage drivers from allowing their personal belongings and trash from littering the roadway, which can also be very dangerous for other vehicles in transit.
Violation of RCW 46.61.655 comes with monetary fines and other penalties. But a driver who loses their load can also be held legally responsible if it can be proven that the debris from their load contributed to a collision.
In this case, officials with the Washington State Patrol have made it very clear that they are searching for the driver of the pickup truck identified by witnesses. That driver would likely be subject to penalties and fines, but could also be held legally responsible for the death of the woman in this incident.
Contact The Team of Lawyers at Davis Law Group Today
If you or someone you know has any information about the identity of the driver of the pickup truck involved in this incident, please contact Detective Dan Komnick with the Washington State Patrol at 360-654-1204. You may also use the confidential contact form on our website to anonymously submit any tips you may have that could assist the WSP with their investigation.
The team of top-rated Seattle wrongful death lawyers at Davis Law Group are also here to assist victims and their families with navigating the civil side of the legal process after a serious accident. Our team is available to meet with the surviving family members of accident victims to explain the legal process and their rights as beneficiaries of an estate.
Contact Davis Law Group at (206) 727-4000 to request a free legal consultation with our team today or use the confidential contact form or chat window to speak with our legal staff.