The social media posts started appearing around 6:15AM, December 6, 2017 – a serious accident near Highpoint on westbound I-90, then more near SR 18… commuters warning other drivers to use caution, that roads were extremely icy and the fog was thick.
By 7AM, Washington State Patrol had told a King 5 reporter that there were 10-12 accidents on westbound I-90 east of Issaquah between mileposts 28 and 20.
At one point all westbound lanes of I-90 were closed just east of the SR 18 interchange. One of the worst accidents was near Highpoint (milepost 20) where WSP said three vehicles left the roadway in the same spot and collided with each other and trees in the median, with one vehicle rolling.
Traffic was backed up for five miles while emergency crews responded. The 43-year old Auburn man driving the vehicle that rolled was transported to Harborview Medical Center with a possible spinal cord injury.
Trooper Rick Johnson tweeted that the other drivers involved were lucky to escape without injuries. WSP released photos of the accident scene and also stated that deicer was applied to the roadway in the area.
WSP and WSDOT are warning drivers to take it slow and drive for the conditions. The weather forecast is for sunny and cold conditions for the next few days so roads could be very icy the following mornings.
