Everett man dies of injuries suffered in Highway 20 wreck

Herald staff

EVERETT — A 48-year-old Everett man died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Monday after suffering severe head and chest injuries Saturday in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 20 near the Grandy Creek Grocery in Concrete.

Michael J. Potts was westbound on Highway 20 in a 1989 Dodge Caravan at 7:05 p.m. when he collided in his lane with a 1988 Bounder motor home driven by Lory B. Nieshe, 72, of Concrete, the State Patrol said.

Two passengers in Potts’ van were also injured. A 9-year-old boy was listed in satisfactory condition with a pelvic fracture, said Kristin Foley, a Harborview representative. Foley did not disclose the boy’s first name.

The second passenger, an 8-year-old girl from Everett, had neck injures, according to the State Patrol. She was also in satisfactory condition at Harborview Monday.

Nieshe suffered a cut hand, according to the State Patrol.

  • ????Fire forces evacuation: A fire forced occupants of at least six units in a south Everett condominium from their homes Monday night.

    Investigators suspect the fire started shortly before 5 p.m. in a second-story unit of a building complex in the 300 block of 75th St. SE, Everett Fire Marshal Warren Burns said.

    There were no injuries. But a number of families were forced from their homes on the cold evening. Some adults stood with young children in their arms as firefighters extinguished the fire.

    Officials suspect the fire originated around a Christmas tree in one condominium, said battalion chief David Neyens.

    "An eyewitness saw the Christmas tree on fire," he said.

    The fire drew six fire engines and two ladder trucks, and police blocked off a section of 75th St. just west of Evergreen Way.

  • ????Teen dies: A teen-ager died in a two-car crash that closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 for about four hours.

    David S. Truong, 17, of Mountlake Terrace died at the scene Sunday evening just south of the King-Snohomish county line, Washington State Patrol investigators said.

    A report said a car driven by Gary K. Som, 17, of Lynnwood hit the Jersey barrier between northbound and southbound lanes, overturned and bumped a car driven by Christopher A. Espejo, 32, of Mukilteo. Truong, a passenger in Som’s car, was not wearing a seat belt.

    Som and Espejo, who were wearing seat belts, escaped injury, as did a second passenger in Som’s car.

    I-5 was closed to southbound traffic from about 7 p.m. to shortly before 11 p.m.

  • Drug lab busted: Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 38-year-old man Saturday after discovering a medium-sized drug lab in a house, according the sheriff’s office.

    The arrest at a house in the 4900 block of 136th Place SE in Snohomish took place after police went there to serve civil papers on the man, according to a news release sent out by the sheriff’s office Monday.

    Police became suspicious after discovering a marijuana pipe and pot in the house, and then finding a door with a padlock on it, according to the release. The lab was behind the door, according to the sheriff’s department.

    Firefighters and hazardous materials experts from Fire District 1, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Marysville responded.

    The man on Monday remained in Snohomish County jail for investigation of drug paraphernalia and manufacturing a controlled substance with the intent to deliver it.

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Local News

    Dog abandoned in Everett dumpster has new home and new name

    Binny, now named Maisey, has a social media account where people can follow along with her adventures.

    People try to navigate their cars along a flooded road near US 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Temporary flood assistance center to open in Sultan

    Residents affected by December’s historic flooding can access multiple agencies and resources.

    Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
    Teens accused of brutal attack on Tulalip man Monday

    The man’s family says they are in disbelief after two teenagers allegedly assaulted the 63-year-old while he was starting work.

    A sign notifying people of the new buffer zone around 41st Street in Everett on Wednesday, Jan. 7. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
    Everett adds fifth ‘no sit, no lie’ buffer zone at 41st Street

    The city implemented the zone in mid-December, soon after the city council extended a law allowing it to create the zones.

    A view of the Eastview development looking south along 79th Avenue where mud and water runoff flowed due to rain on Oct. 16, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Eastview Village critics seek appeal to overturn county’s decision

    Petitioners, including two former county employees, are concerned the 144-acre project will cause unexamined consequences for unincorporated Snohomish County.

    Snohomish County commuters: Get ready for more I-5 construction

    Lanes will be reduced along northbound I-5 in Seattle throughout most of 2026 as WSDOT continues work on needed repairs to an aging bridge.

    Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
    Snohomish man held on bail for email threat against Gov. Ferguson, AG Brown

    A district court pro tem judge, Kim McClay, set bail at $200,000 Monday after finding “substantial danger” that the suspect would act violently if released.

    Kathy Johnson walks through vegetation growing along a CERCLA road in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Activism groups to host forest defense meeting in Bothell

    The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County and the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance will discuss efforts to protect public lands in Washington.

    Debris shows the highest level the Snohomish River has reached on a flood level marker located along the base of the Todo Mexico building on First Street on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    SnoCo offers programs to assist in flood mitigation and recovery

    Property owners in Snohomish County living in places affected by… Continue reading

    Ken Klein (Provided photo)
    New Snohomish mayor shake-up eliminates director position

    Ken Klein’s city administrator appointment and the removal of the Public Works director were confirmed Jan. 6.

    Holley Lacy, left, leads the MLK Celebration Ensemble with Sandra Wright, center, and Maria Caycedo during the Community Celebration for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church in Everett. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
    Where to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Snohomish County in 2026

    Organizations are holding tributes, rallies and family-friendly activities to honor MLK.

    Rotary Club of Everett honors Students of the Month for the fall semester

    Each month during the school year, the Rotary Club of Everett recognizes… Continue reading

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.