Semi crashes, hangs off ramp from US 2 to I-5 in Everett

EVERETT — A semi truck overturned Thursday morning on a ramp to I-5 near Everett Avenue, spilling debris into the street and causing a 4½-hour closure.

State Department of Transportation traffic cameras showed the semi’s trailer over the edge of the ramp from westbound U.S. 2, following the rollover crash around 10:50 a.m.

The crash blocked traffic heading north onto I-5. The truck’s load — what appeared to be garbage — spilled onto a brushy hill and Everett Avenue below. The arterial street through the city was closed for about three blocks, according to Everett police.

Two state troopers stand near a semi carrying trash as it leans over the edge of I-5 northbound after a late morning crash above Everett Avenue on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

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Part of the bridge’s railing appeared to be hanging off the side. There was concrete damage on the ramp, according to the state Department of Transportation.

“This is going to be closed off for what I think will be hours,” Everett police officer Andrew Schuck said at the scene.

Several fire engines and ambulances responded, blocking off the ramp. Before closing off the street below, police cautioned pedestrians to avoid walking under the bridge.

The semi driver suffered minor injuries, Washington State Patrol trooper Kelsey Harding said.

Troopers were still investigating the cause, but it appeared only the semi was involved in the crash.

“It’s a tight ramp to make,” Harding said. “When you get a semi (crash), it’s tough to remove safely.”

CLEARED: WB US 2 EXIT TO NB I-5 RAMP OPEN

The ramp has been opened and the semi-truck is clear.

There are still crews at the scene under ramp doing clean up. Everett Ave under the ramp is still closed.

Thank you all for your patience as crews worked hard to clear the road. pic.twitter.com/bek7vqid3b— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) March 16, 2023

The ramp reopened around 3:20 p.m., according to the State Department of Transportation.

Everett Avenue remained closed into the evening.

Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @EDHJonTall.

Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.

Garbage spilled from a semi truck rollover crash on Thursday, March 10, 2023. The overturned truck completely blocked the westbound U.S. 2 ramp to northbound I-5 in Everett, Washington. (Maya Tizon / The Herald)

Two state troopers stand near a semi carrying trash as it leans over the edge of I-5 northbound after a late morning crash above Everett Avenue on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

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A heavy tow operator begins to sweep debris from Everett Avenue after a semi carrying trash crashed and spilled its contents from I-5 on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

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An Everett Police officer checkers her phone while tending to the scene of a late morning crash on I-5 that left a semi filled with trash hanging above Everett Avenue on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

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The on ramp to N5 from SR2 is fully blocked from a one semi rollover minor injury collision on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Photo provided by Trooper Kelsey Hardin)

The on ramp to N5 from SR2 is fully blocked from a one semi rollover minor injury collision on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Photo provided by Trooper Kelsey Hardin)