NTSB releases documents on Skagit River bridge collapse

A pilot driver escorting an oversize load that triggered the collapse of an I-5 bridge over the Skagit River told investigators that the clearance pole mounted on her car never hit the structure.

But in documents released by federal investigators Wednesday, one witness reported seeing the pole strike the Skagit River bridge several times, indicating there may not have been proper clearance for the oversize load.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the May 23, 2013, bridge collapse and expects to release full findings this summer. On Wednesday, the independent agency made public more than 2,000 pages of documents, including interviews, cellphone logs, and incident reports.

A section of the span fell into the water after a truck carrying a tall load hit the bridge in Mount Vernon. Two other vehicles fell into the river, and three people were rescued with minor injuries.

William Scott, who was driving the truck with the tall load, told investigators that a freight truck “came up very fast on the left” and “squeezed me as we were coming to the bridge.” He told investigators that he moved his vehicle to the right — toward the side of the bridge that had less clearance.

As they approached the bridge, Scott said there was “a horrendous boom” and “it was violent in the cab.”

Scott told investigators that the pilot car driver was in the right lane when she entered the bridge. He says “the pole went through” and that she didn’t say anything about the pole hitting the bridge.

At the time of the bridge collapse, the vertical clearance was 18 feet above the center lanes but was tapered to 15 feet, 5 inches on the right side of the roadway. The lowest portion, measured over the shoulder of the roadway, was 14 feet, 8 inches, according to the NTSB.

Scott said he thought his load was 15 feet, 9 inches. The top of his load, a blue shed, collided with the far right side of the overhead truss structure.

The trusses have since been reconfigured by state transportation officials, giving 18 feet of clearance for all traffic lanes.

According to the NTSB, the driver of the pilot vehicle, Tammy Detray, said the clearance pole mounted on the front of her vehicle was set at 16 feet, 2 inches.

Detray’s interview with investigators was not recorded, at the request of her attorney. According to notes from the interview, Detray said the pole on her vehicle did not strike the bridge and that “a cloud of dust was the first indication she had that something was wrong.”

“She was watching the accident truck cross the bridge in her rear-view and side mirrors and saw dust and the bridge collapse,” the notes of the interview read.

She also told investigators she was using her cellphone on a hands-free device at the time of the accident and was talking to her husband about a route she would be taking the next day, according to a summary report.

Detray and Scott both said the pole didn’t strike the bridge, but the driver of a Ford Ranger, Dale Odgen, who was passing both vehicles, told investigators that as he was looking at the pilot car, he “saw the pole strike 4 or 5 of the bridge elements.”

“The Ford Ranger driver looked in his mirror and saw the load strike the bridge,” the report read. “He did not recall seeing a white commercial vehicle next to the accident vehicle and estimated the distance between the pilot car and the load at 100 to 150 yards.”

Scott cleared the bridge and stopped on the right shoulder, and did not realize that the bridge had collapsed until he was told by another driver who had also pulled over, according to the documents.

The 59-year-old bridge carries an average of 71,000 vehicles a day over the Skagit River on I-5. Workers installed an emergency span and then replaced it with a permanent span in September.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.