Three chain-reaction accidents involving 11 vehicles on southbound I-5 near U.S. 2 in Everett on Sunday backed up traffic six miles to Marysville, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Two people suffered minor injuries in the 3:22 p.m. wrecks and were taken to Providence Medical Center in Everett as a precaution, trooper Kirk Rudeen said.
The freeway was completely closed until about 4:45 p.m., when two lanes were reopened, he said. The third lane reopened at 5:35 p.m.
The first accident triggered the next two, Rudeen said. The first involved three trucks and a mini-van, the second involved two cars and the third involved five cars.
The accidents started when traffic slowed and the driver of a small truck in the left lane skidded sideways into the center lane, Rudeen said.
A minivan stopped to avoid hitting the truck and a semi truck stopped behind the van. Another semi could not stop in time and hit the other big truck, sending it into the van and the van into the small truck.
The two other accidents occurred behind the first as the drivers of those vehicles tried to stop, Rudeen said.
Because of construction on that stretch of I-5, no shoulders were available for police cars and ambulances to park, worsening the backup, Rudeen said.
“When you’re in that construction type of environment, it takes a little longer to get it cleared out,” he said.
Rudeen said rain showers on Sunday were not to blame for the accident.
“It’s a common problem we see out there, people following too close,” he said.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
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