A Washington State Patrol trooper narrowly escaped serious injury during a freeway incident Tuesday morning when a driver crashed into his patrol vehicle.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. as the trooper investigated a single-vehicle collision on northbound Interstate 5 near downtown Seattle. The trooper had taken a driver into custody for suspected impairment and was standing outside his patrol SUV when the second collision occurred.
Another driver slammed into the trooper’s vehicle while the officer was conducting the initial crash investigation. The trooper managed to jump clear of the impact zone just in time, avoiding what could have been serious or fatal injuries.
Authorities reported only minor injuries from the incident. The extent of those injuries and who sustained them was not immediately specified.
The second driver, who struck the patrol SUV, showed no signs of impairment according to preliminary assessment at the scene. This suggests the collision may have resulted from distraction, failure to move over for emergency vehicles, or other factors being investigated.
The incident highlights ongoing dangers law enforcement officers face while working roadside incidents on busy freeways. Troopers regularly expose themselves to traffic risks when investigating crashes, conducting traffic stops, or assisting disabled motorists along highways.
Washington’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over one lane or slow down significantly when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights stopped on the roadside. The law aims to protect emergency responders, tow truck operators, and other workers who must operate in roadway environments.
Violations of the Move Over Law can result in substantial fines. More importantly, failure to comply puts lives at risk, as demonstrated by this near-miss incident involving the state patrol trooper.
The early morning timing of the crash, occurring at 2:30 a.m., likely meant reduced traffic volumes on Interstate 5 compared to peak hours. However, darkness and potential driver fatigue during overnight hours create additional hazards for both officers and motorists.
Northbound Interstate 5 near downtown Seattle carries significant traffic even during overnight hours, as the corridor serves as a major route through the metropolitan area connecting southern suburbs to the city center and points north.
The trooper’s quick reaction to jump clear prevented what statistics show are often tragic outcomes when emergency responders are struck by vehicles while working roadside. Multiple law enforcement officers and emergency workers are killed or seriously injured each year in such incidents nationwide.
The initial crash investigation that drew the trooper to the location involved a suspected impaired driver. This represents a common scenario where one dangerous situation, impaired driving, creates conditions for a secondary incident when emergency responders arrive to manage the scene.
State Patrol protocols require troopers to position vehicles strategically when working roadside incidents, using patrol cars as protective barriers between the crash scene and oncoming traffic. However, even with proper positioning, secondary collisions remain a significant risk.
The investigation into why the second driver struck the patrol vehicle will examine factors including whether proper emergency lighting was visible, whether the driver was distracted by electronic devices or other activities, and whether speed or road conditions contributed to the collision.
No charges or citations were immediately announced following the incident. Authorities typically complete thorough investigations before determining whether violations occurred or whether the collision resulted from circumstances beyond driver control.
The trooper’s ability to avoid injury demonstrates both quick reflexes and the constant vigilance required when working in live traffic lanes. Officers must maintain awareness of approaching traffic while simultaneously focusing on the investigation or enforcement action that brought them to the roadside.
Washington State Patrol emphasizes roadside safety in training and has implemented various technologies and protocols aimed at protecting troopers during traffic stops and crash investigations. Despite these measures, the fundamental danger of working inches from high-speed traffic remains.
