Pedestrian identified in fatal crash that closed I-5 in Arlington

Published 8:14 am Friday, April 5, 2024

ARLINGTON — A pedestrian was struck and killed early Friday on northbound I-5 in Arlington, closing the route for over three hours, authorities said.

At 5:07 a.m., a truck was approaching Highway 531 on I-5 north when the driver, 47, struck a pedestrian in the road, according to the Washington State Patrol. It was unclear why the pedestrian was on I-5.

The pedestrian died at the scene, troopers said. The driver, of Portland, Oregon, and one other passenger were not injured.

State patrol identified the deceased as Melisa Delgado Chavez, 29, of Arlington.

Police were investigating Friday morning, but didn’t suspect the driver was impaired, trooper Kelsey Harding said.

The crash fully blocked I-5 north. The on-ramp to Highway 531 was also closed, but had reopened by 7:45 a.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.

Traffic could then get around the crash by exiting at Highway 531 and getting back on I-5 using the on-ramp.

Just before 8:30 a.m., lanes reopened.