Early morning wrong-way accident brings westbound I-90 to standstill near North Bend

UPDATE | JUNE 16TH, 9:30AM

The hazardous waste spill was cleaned and westbound I-90 lanes near exit 32 in North Bend reopened around 8:30AM. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, several gallons of anti-freeze and motor oil spilled onto roadway, but luckily there was no impact to storm drains or water in the area.

ORIGINAL STORY

Early Tuesday morning, June 16, 2020, an accident closed all westbound lanes of I-90 near North Bend, milepost 32.

The serious accident occurred around 2:45AM and left oil on the roadway, which requires a lengthy cleanup.

According to Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson, a car was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes and struck a semi truck.

Johnson said he did not know [at this point] how long the driver was going the wrong direction before the accident occurred.

The wrong-way driver is suspected of DUI and was transported to Harborview Medical Center with a broken leg. The semi driver was ok.

As of 6:45AM, WSDOT crews were still en-route to the scene and a detour was not yet in place.

Drivers have reported being stuck in the traffic standstill for 3.5 hours while waiting for crews to arrive and establish the detour.

If accessible, drivers can take I-90 exit 34 to SE North Bend Way to Bendigo Blvd and re-enter westbound I-90 at exit 31 (near Outlet Mall) to avoid the area of the accident.

Area of accident near North Bend, 6/16/20
Back up behind accident scene, 6/16/20. Photo: Justin Trainer, Facebook

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