UPDATE | AUGUST 12, 2016, 2PM
The Washington State Patrol said all lanes of eastbound I-90 are now open. It could take awhile for traffic to return to normal, though.
UPDATE | AUGUST 12, 2016, 12:45PM
As of 12:30PM, WSDOT estimated it was taking more than an hour to get through the eastbound I-90 back up caused by Friday’s accident near Preston. Traffic cameras show I-90 traffic backed up to Front Street in Issaquah. On SR 18, cameras show heavy eastbound traffic over Tiger Mountain and back to 244th Ave SE.
Washington State Patrol Detective Haake requests that anyone who witnessed events leading up to the collision call 425-401-7717.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) stated via social media that as of 11AM, Friday, August 12, 2016, all eastbound lanes of I-90 were blocked in the High Point area due to a serious injury accident. By noon, the left lane had been reopened, though.
According to Eastside Firefighters, one driver was trapped in a vehicle as a result of the collision that occurred around 10:15AM. Multiple fire and aid units responded to the scene. They were able to extract and transport the injured person to an area trauma center.
According to KOMO News, an 18-year old woman suffered life threatening injuries where her Toyota Camry collided with a semi and is in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center.
WSP stated that some reports suggest another vehicle in the area moved into the lane of the Toyota’s travel, causing the driver to lose control.
Detour, Lane Closures Cause Huge Back up
WSP had a detour in place at exit 20, with the crash east of the exit and just west of the Preston exit 22, and advised eastbound drivers to use Highlands Drive (exit 18 -Issaquah Highlands) in the interim.
WSDOT also advised drivers to use SR 202 or SR 18 as alternate routes around the crash and to expect delays in the area. From traffic camera photo, it appeared the accident involved a semi truck.
There was no full lane reopening ETA given initially. As of 11:20AM, WSDOT was reporting a three-mile back up. Summer Fridays typically see heavy traffic heading toward eastern Washington.
Around 11:30AM, WSDOT said drivers stuck past exit 20 and behind the crash were being turned around and directed back to the detour.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
