A rollover crash closed both directions of SR 539 at East Smith Road north of Bellingham Sunday morning as Whatcom County Sheriff's Office deputies expanded the closure to include all northbound and southbound lanes while emergency crews responded. (Photo: WSDOT)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A rollover crash shut down both directions of State Route 539/Guide Meridian at East Smith Road north of Bellingham on Sunday morning, leaving an SUV overturned in the middle of the intersection and causing significant traffic delays.
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According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, the crash initially blocked the northbound left lane near milepost 4. As the incident unfolded, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies expanded the closure to include all northbound and southbound lanes while emergency crews responded.
“The truck got T-boned in the passenger rear panel. It rolled it,” a witness wrote on social media.
The witness said the SUV had a smashed front end while the truck’s rear side panel was gone.
At 11:35 a.m., WSDOT reported that all lanes in both directions of SR 539 were blocked at Smith Road. Officials urged drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes because they did not have an estimated reopening time.
Photos from the scene showed a dark-colored SUV resting on its side in the intersection. Fire crews and other emergency responders worked around the vehicle while debris remained scattered across the roadway.
Highway Reopened Before Noon
By 11:54 a.m., WSDOT announced the southbound closure had been cleared. Earlier updates indicated traffic restrictions changed several times as responders managed the scene before reopening the highway.
Authorities have not released information about what caused the crash or whether anyone suffered injuries.
PNW Daily will update this story if additional details become available.
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