Tuesday commute is toast when bread semi rolls in Renton

Published 8:55 am Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Traffic was snarled during the Tuesday morning commute when a tractor-trailer loaded with bread overturned on southbound Interstate 405 just south of State Route 167.

Southbound 405 was closed for about three hours, causing miles-long backups on I-405 and SR 167 and sending motorists into downtown Renton on Grady Way and Rainier Avenue looking for detours.

No one was injured, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The accident occurred at about 7:15 a.m. when three southbound vehicles were slowing to a stop, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The tractor-trailer collided with a 2009 Honda Pilot driven by a 40-year-old Renton man, which then collided with a 2008 Ford Fusion driven by a 48-year-old Sammamish man, according to the state patrol.

The tractor-trailer over-corrected back onto I-405 and collided with a 2012 Hyundai Accent driven by a 57-year-old Renton man.

The tractor-trailer then rolled on its side, blocking all southbound lanes. Tow trucks righted the tractor-trailer and lanes were reopened at about 10:15 a.m.

Northbound traffic continued to get by at a slow pace.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 29-year-old Olympia man, is under investigation for possible second-degree negligent driving.