I-405 ramp in Bothell reopened after trailer crash

Published 1:53 pm Friday, June 22, 2007

BOTHELL – The ramp from southbound Highway 527 to southbound I-405 reopened at 11 a.m. today, following an accident that left 10 crushed cars on the ramp.

A tractor trailer from Shale Trucking of Auburn flipped on the ramp, dumping a load of crushed cars shortly before 8 a.m., State Patrol Trooper Kirk Rudeen said.

No one was injured in the crash and no other vehicles were involved. The driver was a 33-year-old Seattle man.

Crews from the Department of Transportation spent the morning using front loaders to lift the crushed cars onto tractor trailers sent by Shale Trucking. The truck involved in the accident was towed away.

It’s unclear what caused the crash, but Rudeen said it looks like a mechanical problem may be to blame. A pin that connects the trailer to the cab apparently snapped, he said.

The cab of the truck remained upright, but the trailer tipped over, spilling cars into the ramp.

“It looks like a little turtle on its back.” Rudeen said.