A tragic one-car crash occurred early Friday morning on I-5 near Smokey Point, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Riley Maggard from Arlington. At approximately 12:20 a. m. , Maggard lost control of his vehicle while driving south near 172nd Street NE, swerving across multiple lanes before crashing into a ditch. The vehicle rolled over, collided with a pole, and ignited, leading to his death at the scene despite prompt arrival from first responders.

The crash caused significant traffic disruptions, blocking the right and center lanes of I-5 south until around 4 a. m. when they were cleared. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the need for heightened awareness regarding road safety. Investigations by the Washington State Patrol are ongoing to determine the exact causes of the accident.