Updated on: 3/7/2019
A brush fire on the side of northbound Interstate 5 in Skagit County led to a multi-mile backup and a fatal car accident Thursday evening.
According to GoSkagit.com, Skagit County fire officials responded to calls about a brush fire on the side of I-5 just after 7 p.m. Thursday near Bow Hill Road. A helicopter was dropping water on the fire and the disruption forced one lane of I-5 to be closed.
Police say that several hours later, at approximately 11:15 p.m., a serious collision involving five vehicles occurred in the midst of the traffic backup that trailed the brush fire. A 22-year-old man was stopped in traffic inside his 2002 Ford Focus when a Chevy Silverado pickup truck driven by a 20-year-old man from Mount Vernon allegedly crashed into the back of the Ford Focus.
Police Investigation Into Multi-Vehicle Crash
The driver of the Ford Focus, who was the only occupant of the vehicle at the time of the collision, suffered fatal injuries in the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Silverado was transported to Skagit Valley Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.
The initial impact also forced three other vehicles to collide with one another, though it was not clear if any of the occupants of those vehicles suffered any injuries in the collision.
Police said that the collision remains under investigation, and that troopers are working to determine all of the possible factors that may have contributed to the collision.
Proving Liability After A Fatal Car Accident
Despite the ongoing investigation into Thursday evening’s fatal crash, officials have noted that it appears that the driver of the pickup truck was traveling “at or above highway speeds” and did not apply the brakes before striking the back of the victim’s Ford Focus. This information alone suggests that the driver may have been distracted or otherwise impaired in some way at the time of the collision.
Of course, the police investigation should be able to identify what caused the driver of the truck to strike the victim’s vehicle at highway speeds. The results of this investigation may factor into surviving loved ones’ decision to pursue legal action against the presumably at-fault driver.
Consulting with an attorney after a serious fatal crash can help victims and their loved ones better understand their legal rights and options for pursuing a claim. And since most personal injury attorneys offer a free case review and legal consultation, there are no obligations or strings attached to inquiring about your legal rights.
The award-winning attorneys at Davis Law Group will review any potential personal injury or wrongful death case for free. Our outstanding legal team is standing by to help accident victims better understand their legal rights and options. Call our office in Seattle at (206) 727-4000 or use the confidential contact form on this page to have your case personally reviewed by our attorneys.
