U.S. 2 crash took agonizing toll

SNOHOMISH — A Ford station wagon was parked outside a Snohomish home on Friday morning, filled with medical supplies.

Angela Floyd looked inside the car and pointed at hygiene kits, liquid food, respiratory cleaning kits and sterilized water.

All those supplies were meant to be used for her stepfather, Greg Solberg. The 52-year-old Snohomish man died Nov. 25 from complications of injuries he suffered in a crash on U.S. 2 more than a year ago.

“No need for us to hang on to things that we can’t use,” Floyd said, holding back tears.

Most of the supplies will be donated to Doctors Without Borders, an international medical organization that delivers emergency aid to people in foreign countries, said Jeff Solberg, Greg Solberg’s brother.

A memorial service for Greg Solberg is planned today in Everett.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The U.S. 2 crash occurred on Oct. 26, 2006, when the pickup Solberg was driving was hit broadside by an eastbound dump truck on the highway in Snohomish. The pickup was turning left onto U.S. 2 from Bickford Avenue.

Thirteen months later, Solberg became the 46th person to have died from injuries suffered in a crash on U.S. 2 over the last eight years, according to the state crash data.

Solberg died of complications from a traumatic brain injury at his Snohomish home, his family said. He spent months at a hospital and nursing home before returning home earlier this year.

“Greg went through 13 months of pain,” Floyd said. “It was a very, very difficult 13 months.”

Jane Solberg was married to Greg Solberg for five years.

“We were planning to spend the rest of our lives together,” she said in tears.

Accident data doesn’t show the whole impact on people who have lost their loved ones on U.S. 2, Jeff Solberg said. Each crash changes people’s lives and continues to haunt and affect them.

“This is something that continues to happen on U.S. 2. People keep losing their loved ones,” he said.

Some people may survive crashes but die later, Jeff Solberg said.

“When it is you, it is totally a different thing. It really hits home,” he said.

The Solberg family hopes that sharing their story will prompt the state to improve the highway.

The state Department of Transportation released a new safety study on U.S. 2 last month. Overall improvements of the highway between Snohomish and Stevens Pass would cost up to $1.84 billion, the study says.

The study outlines 56 projects. Only one project has money so far.

One of the projects is to build a westbound onramp at Bickford Avenue. If built, that will let drivers turn left onto the highway without crossing it.

The study estimates that finishing all the projects could take more than 20 years.

“Why is it taking so long?” Floyd asked.

“Yeah, why is it taking so long?” Jane Solberg said.

In addition to his wife, brother and step-daughter, Greg Solberg is survived by his mother, Lorraine Solberg; his father and stepmother, Ralph and Shirley Solberg; mother-in-law, Susie Greul; twin-sister and brother-in-law, Vicki and Joel Rossell; sister, Sonya Solberg; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Tawni Solberg, and Jeff and Doreen Solberg.

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Traffic moves across the US 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington climate goals jeopardized by U.S. Senate vote

The U.S. Senate revoked waivers allowing Washington to mandate strict vehicle emission standards

The Everett City Council on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett City Council approves apprenticeship ordinance

The new ordinance builds upon state law, requiring many city public works contracts to use at least 15% apprentice labor.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood nears completion of deployable floodwall

The new floodwall will provide quick protection to the downtown area during flood conditions.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Steven M. Falk / The Philadelphia Inquirer / Tribune News Service
James Taylor plays Sunday and Monday at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.
A&E Calendar for May 22

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Members of Washington State patrol salute the casket of slain trooper Chris Gadd during a memorial cremony on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Opening statements begin in trial of man charged in crash of WSP trooper

Deputy prosecutor described to jurors what began as a routine patrol for Christopher Gadd — “until it wasn’t.”

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.