Second I-5 Crash in 24 Hours Near Lake Samish Construction

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Another injury crash disrupted traffic through the Interstate 5 construction zone near Lake Samish on Wednesday evening, marking the second serious collision in the corridor in 24 hours.

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Washington State Patrol investigators said Del W. Robinson, 83, of Elma failed to merge through the work zone near milepost 246, struck a barrier and rolled his SUV onto its roof. The crash occurred at about 7:45 p.m. near milepost 246.

Both Robinson and passenger Jennifer M. Waters, 57, were injured, according to WSP Communications Officer Melanie Pereira.

The Washington State Department of Transportation reported the collision blocked all northbound lanes and at 8:30 p.m., crews closed the freeway completely and diverted traffic off Interstate 5 at the North Lake Samish Drive exit while emergency responders worked at the scene.

Driver Failed to Merge Through Construction Zone

Washington State Patrol investigators said an 83-year-old Elma man was driving a 2020 Hyundai Kona northbound when he failed to merge for construction. The SUV struck the barrier, rolled and came to rest upside down on the left shoulder.

Investigators listed the primary cause of the collision as failure to merge. They found no evidence that drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash.

Two Occupants Transported After I-5 Rollover

The driver suffered injuries that required transport to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. A 57-year-old female passenger from Elma also suffered injuries, and paramedics transported her to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. Both occupants wore seat belts, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The Hyundai Kona sustained catastrophic damage and was declared a total loss. A tow company removed the vehicle from the scene after investigators completed their work.

Northbound I-5 Reopened After Several Hours

WSDOT first reported the crash shortly before 8 p.m. As conditions changed, the agency updated motorists several times throughout the evening.

Initially, all northbound lanes closed while emergency crews responded. Later, crews reopened one lane before clearing the incident entirely around 10 p.m.

The closure created significant delays for travelers south of Bellingham as traffic exited the freeway at North Lake Samish Drive and waited for the highway to reopen.

Second Crash in Two Days Raises Attention

Wednesday night’s rollover marks the second injury crash in as many days within the Interstate 5 construction corridor near North Lake Samish Drive.

On Tuesday evening, a two-vehicle collision involving a WSDOT water attenuator truck occurred in nearly the same area. That crash sent both drivers to St. Joseph Medical Center and temporarily blocked northbound traffic as emergency crews responded.

State investigators have not linked the two crashes, and officials have not indicated that the active construction project contributed to either collision. However, both incidents occurred within the same active work zone where drivers encounter reduced speeds, lane shifts and ongoing fish-passage construction.

WSDOT continues to urge motorists to slow down, remain alert and follow all traffic control devices while traveling through the corridor. The agency’s $159.6 million fish-passage project south of Bellingham is expected to continue through winter 2028.

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