Update: State Patrol Seeks Witnesses to Fatal 520 Crash

UPDATE, Feb. 22, 1:00 p.m.: The investigation of a fatal wrong-way crash closed westbound State Route 520 between Interstate 405 and the Bellevue Way onramp for five hours, including during the morning commute, the Washington State Patrol reported.

The crash involved a 22-year-old Woodinville woman who died when her 2000 Mitsubishi Galant crashed into a semi-truck just before 4 a.m. when she headed eastbound in the westbound lanes of the freeway following being rear ended by another car, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The woman was not identified by the Washington State Patrol, pending notification of her family.

Washington State Patrol reported that just before 4 a.m. the driver of the Mitsubishi struck the barrier on westbound 520 and then came to rest without her lights on in the left and middle lanes near a road construction site, state patrol spokeswoman Trooper Julie Startup said.

The Mitsubishi then was rear-ended by a Cedar Grove composting truck and was spun 180 degrees, Startup said. The Mitsubishi driver then drove away eastbound in the westbound lanes without her lights on until she struck a semi-truck head-on, Startup said.

"It happened very quickly," she said. The garbage truck driver "did stay at the scene and said that right after (the Mitusbishi driver) was struck and turned around, she left in the wrong direction."

Startup said that troopers are investigating if alcohol was a factor, in the crash but that the Mitsubishi suffered very extensive damage in the crash.

No other injuries were reported.

WSP Seeks Witnesses

The Washington State Patrol is seeking witnesses in this morning's fatal crash. From their press release:

The Washington State Patrol Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating a fatal collision that occurred westbound State Route 520 this morning just before 4:00 am.  The collision scene began westbound on SR 520 in the area of 92nd with the fatality occurring near the 108th street exit. The collision involved a red Mitsubishi Gallant, vehicle resembling a garbage truck and a semi dump truck with two silver containers.

MAIT detectives are seeking witnesses that may have information about the collision and the chain of events that led up to it.  If you or someone you know saw or heard something that may be related to this investigation please contact Detective Sergeant Jerry Cooper (360) 805-1192 or Detective Greg Wilcoxson (360) 805-1195.

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Update, 9:25 a.m.: The highway is now reopen, according to WSDOT.

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The investigation of a fatal wrong-way crash early Wednesday morning closed all westbound lanes of State Route 520 between Interstate 405 and the Bellevue Way on-ramp, and the closure could last until at least 9 a.m., the Washington State Patrol reported.

Drivers are being diverted onto Northeast 108th Street.

Witnesses told the State Patrol that a driver stopped her Mitsubishi on 520 without her lights on at a Washington State Department of Transportation construction site in the left lane, state patrol spokeswoman Trooper Julie Startup said.

The Mitsubishi was rear-ended by a garbage truck around 4 a.m. and was  spun around 180 degrees, Startup said. The Mitsubishi driver then drove eastbound in the westbound lanes without her lights on until she struck a semi-truck head-on, Startup said.

"It happened very quickly," she said. "The (garbage truck driver) did stay at the scene and said that right after (the Mitusbishi driver) was struck and turned around, she left in the wrong direction."

Startup said that troopers are investigating if alcohol was a factor, in the crash but that the Mitsubishi suffered very extensive damage in the crash. The woman was reportedly killed instantly, and debris was scattered over a wide area of the freeway. No other injuries were reported.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.