UPDATE: 21-year-old Kenmore motorcyclist killed in 6-vehicle crash on I-5

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 4, 2026

EVERETT — A motorcyclist was killed after crashing into multiple cars on southbound I-5 in Everett on Tuesday evening.

Troopers responded after 5 p.m. for reports of a crash involving six vehicles on I-5 near Highway 526 in the area of the Everett Mall, according to a release from Washington State Patrol.

WSP said a man on a motorcycle hit four cars as he drove southbound. The rider then hit a vehicle driving in the HOV lane, trooper said.

Blake Frenick, 21, from Kenmore, was identified as the driver of the motorcycle. He died at the scene, according to highway patrol.

Troopers reported no injuries to the other involved drivers.

The crash closed three of four lanes on I-5 for close to four hours on Tuesday evening before the interstate was fully reopened at 8:45 p.m., according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

At its peak, backups stretched 4 miles to near the U.S. 2 interchange in north Everett, WSDOT said.

Washington State Patrol listed speed as a cause of the crash, according to the release.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the motorcyclist was hit by a vehicle in the HOV lane. The rider hit the vehicle, according to Washington State Patrol.

Ian Davis-Leonard: 425-339-3097; ian.davis-leonard@heraldnet.com