Wrong-way driver killed in semi crash on SR-18 near downtown Auburn

KING COUNTY, WA — A man died early Wednesday after a wrong-way crash involving a car and three semi-trucks on State Route 18 near downtown Auburn, reports KIRO 7 News.

Washington State Patrol said the fatal accident happened near the C Street Southwest intersection at approximately 2:00 a.m.

For unknown reasons, the man was driving westbound on the eastbound lanes of the freeway, when his passenger car struck two semi-trucks. At least one of the trucks veered into the median, which sent debris into the westbound lanes. A third semi-truck was also impacted in the wreck.

WSP said the wrong-way driver was ejected from his car and died at the scene.

The event left all lanes in both directions closed for about eight hours as crews worked to clear debris and restore the damaged barrier.

By 10:00 a.m., all lanes were reopened.

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