WSP: Safety feature on truck may have saved WSDOT contractor's life in I-5 crash
ARLINGTON, Wash. - Washington State Patrol (WSP) is investigating a deadly Wednesday morning crash on Interstate 5 near Arlington.
According to WSP Trooper Jacob Kennett, all southbound lanes on Interstate 5 near 228th St. at milepost 210 were blocked due to a deadly collision involving a construction attenuator truck and a box truck.
Authorities say an attenuator truck contracting for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was setting up a lane closure for construction farther south of the incident when it was rear-ended by a rental Penske truck.
The driver of the Penske truck died at the scene. The driver killed has been identified as 22-year-old Nicholas Aceves of Burlington.
According to WSP, the driver of the construction truck was in the flatbed of the truck at the time of the crash. The attenuated safety feature on the truck sticks out from the rear, which acts like a cushion in case someone plows into it. WSP said this feature likely saved the worker's life.
The worker was thrown from the flatbed into the roadway and was taken to the hospital.
WSDOT said there was a 6-mile backup due to the lane closures.
Troopers said the road reopened around 2:20 p.m. Wednesday. Traffic was still moving slowly in the area.
WSP Trooper Jacob Kennett sent out a tweet about the incident:
"Our deepest sympathies go out to those directly affected by this incident. Please travel safely while the investigation continues."
To view our live traffic map, click here.
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