DUI Driver Arrested After Six-Vehicle I-405 Crash Injures Three

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Washington State Patrol troopers arrested a College Place man on suspicion of DUI and vehicular assault after investigators said he caused a six-vehicle crash Tuesday night on Interstate 405 near Coal Creek Parkway. The collision injured three people and shut down the roadway for about four hours.

This Crash Report is sponsored by CrashLaw.NET, a legal resource for crash victims in Whatcom County.

The crash happened at about 10:16 p.m. on southbound I-405 near the Coal Creek exit. According to the State Patrol, five vehicles had stopped in traffic when a Nissan Frontier failed to slow down. The truck then slammed into the rear of the line of vehicles and triggered a chain-reaction collision.

Troopers identified the driver as 29-year-old Manuel P. Martinez of College Place. Although Martinez escaped injury, authorities booked him into the King County Jail on suspicion of DUI and vehicular assault.

Chain-Reaction Crash Sends Three to Hospital

Meanwhile, emergency crews transported three people to Overlake Medical Center with injuries.

The injured included a 55-year-old Bellevue woman driving a Toyota RAV4, a 73-year-old Bellevue woman riding in an Infiniti QX50 and a 59-year-old Issaquah woman driving a Mercedes-Benz GL.

Troopers reported that every occupant involved in the crash wore a seat belt.

Investigators also listed alcohol as a contributing factor in the collision.

Southbound I-405 Closed for Hours

As crews responded to the scene, the six-vehicle crash blocked southbound I-405 for approximately four hours.

Troopers determined that the Nissan Frontier, Toyota RAV4 and Infiniti QX50 sustained damage beyond repair. In addition, three other vehicles suffered reportable damage.

Fortunately, nobody died in the collision.

The Washington State Patrol continues to investigate the crash.

Frequently Asked Questions