Motorcyclist Killed in A 3-Vehicle Crash Southbound I-5, Smokey Point Identified as Christopher Salge; Collided with A Jeep and Pronounced Dead While Speeding
A fatal collision involving three vehicles occurred early Tuesday morning, resulting in the death of a motorcyclist and the closure of the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Smokey Point for over six hours. The incident, which occurred around 3 a.m., led to the shutdown of the lanes just south of State Route 531/172nd Street Northeast, spanning a four-mile stretch from Arlington to the Tulalip Casino and outlet mall.
According to Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Harding, the crash involved a motorcycle, a Jeep, and a semi-truck. Allegedly, the motorcycle was traveling at a high speed when it collided with the Jeep. Harding explained that the motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the Jeep, causing the latter to pull over to the shoulder and activate its hazard lights. However, the motorcycle and its rider remained on the road after the impact.
Investigators revealed that the semi-truck, unaware of the motorcyclist’s presence on the roadway, attempted to maneuver around the hazard lights on the shoulder. In doing so, the truck inadvertently struck the motorcycle and its rider. The deceased motorcyclist was later identified as Christopher R. Salge, 40, of Arlington, by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner.
Troopers conducted investigations along the freeway, analyzing tire marks to estimate the speed of the vehicles involved. Both the Jeep and the semi-truck drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. The tragic accident serves as a poignant reminder for drivers to exercise caution on the roads, urging them to adhere to speed limits, avoid distractions, and refrain from driving under the influence.
The southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were reopened at approximately 9:30 a.m.
We hope you appreciated this article. we believe news and information should be free and accessible to all, but we need your help. Our journalism is free of corporate influence and paywalls because we are totally reader-supported. Only you, our readers and supporters, make this possible. If you enjoy reading the stories we bring you, please support our work just by sharing our articles today. We will like to reach more of your friends. Thank you
