On February 13, 2025, a motorcyclist was killed in a tragic wrong-way collision on I-5 near Burlington, with law enforcement attempting to stop him for speeding shortly before the crash. The 43-year-old rider from Mount Vernon fled police, re-entering the interstate traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. His motorcycle struck part of the Skagit River Bridge, causing him to be ejected from the bike. He was subsequently hit by an oncoming semi-truck, leading to his death at the scene. Law enforcement had initiated the pursuit early in the morning, but the chase was discontinued due to safety concerns.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is being handled by Skagit-Island SMART. Southbound I-5 was closed for several hours but has since reopened, allowing traffic to resume. This incident highlights the dangers of high-speed pursuits and wrong-way driving on major highways.