Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
December 30, 2010
Contact:
Julie Startup
Phone:
(425) 766-0812
E-mail:
Julie.Startup@wsp.wa.gov
Trooper Struck by Truck During Collision Investigation
Just before 5:00 this morning a trooper received minor injuries when a DUI driver lost control of his truck and rotated into a collision scene northbound Interstate 405 just north of Interstate 5. The trooper was standing about 15 feet off of the roadway checking for injuries next to collision damaged vehicles when he observed rotating headlights moving toward him. As a red Ford Pickup truck rotated off the road it struck the trooper and two vehicles that had already been involved in a collision. The trooper was treated for minor injuries.
The pickup driver, 46 year old Stephen Merrill of Burien, was arrested and booked into King County jail under investigation of DUI drugs. No other injuries were reported from this collision.
Drivers are urged to reduce speed whenever there is a possibility of icy roadways. Sudden braking, acceleration and turning that may cause vehicles to lose traction can often be avoided by reducing speed.