One dead in car-tanker collision on U.S. 2 near Monroe

MONROE – One man died this afternoon in a head-on crash that shut down U.S. 2 near Monroe.

A car eastbound on U.S. 2 near old Owen Road crossed the center line and struck an oncoming tanker truck shortly after noon, Washington State Patrol trooper Mark Francis said. The car’s driver, 38, of Bothell, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he died from his injuries. His name wasn’t released.

The tanker’s driver, 50, of Anacortes, wasn’t injured. The tanker wasn’t carrying a load.

Two other cars were hit by debris from the accident, but nobody else was injured, Francis said.

The highway in both directions was closed for hours as troopers investigated. Traffic was being detoured to Old Owen Road.