Everett man killed in semi-truck collision

Published 3:30 pm Friday, April 18, 2008

EVERETT — The man who died early this morning in a crash involving two big trucks has been identified as Viktor T. Stelmakh, 57, of Everett, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner said.

The death was ruled accidental.

The accident happened about 4:15 a.m. in the intersection of Everett Mall Way and Highway 526, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.

A tractor-trailer was eastbound on Highway 526 and pulling through the intersection at Everett Mall Way on to Highway 527 when it was apparently broadsided by a northbound rig. That truck wasn’t hauling a trailer.

Stelmakh was ejected and died at the scene.

The other driver, a Fife man, 32, was taken to Providence Everett Medical Center as a precaution. He was treated and released, Goetz said.

The intersection is controlled by traffic lights and police are trying to determine who had the right-of-way at the time of the crash, Goetz said.

The intersection was closed for nearly seven hours as police cleaned up the mess causing traffic delays during the busy morning commute.

Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call the Everett Police Department tip line at 425-257-8540.