Driver Injured After I-5 Lane Change Causes Bow Hill Rollover

BOW, Wash. — What began as a routine lane change on Interstate 5 Monday afternoon ended with one SUV on its side, another in the median and traffic backing up through northern Skagit County.

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The collision happened just after 3 p.m. on northbound I-5 near milepost 236, north of Bow Hill Road, where Washington State Patrol troopers found a rolled Honda CR-V blocking the left lane.

Investigators determined the crash began when the driver of the CR-V, Youngee Choi, 68, of Coquitlam, British Columbia, moved from one northbound lane into another as both vehicles traveled through the area.

Investigators said the driver of a Honda Pilot, Saul Lira, 40, of Lynden, attempted to avoid the encroaching SUV by steering onto the left shoulder, but the two vehicles still collided.

The impact rolled the CR-V onto its side while the Pilot came to rest in the center median.

Troopers Cite Improper Lane Change

Troopers cited an improper lane change as the cause of the collision. They also determined neither drugs nor alcohol played a role.

The 68-year-old driver of the Honda CR-V, from Coquitlam, British Columbia, suffered injuries and emergency crews transported her to Skagit Valley Hospital. The 40-year-old driver of the Honda Pilot, a Lynden resident, was not injured. Both drivers wore seat belts, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The crash temporarily blocked the left lane while troopers investigated and tow crews removed both vehicles. Earlier in the afternoon, Trooper Kelsey Harding warned motorists to expect delays as responders worked at the scene.

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