Tukwila man dies from injuries suffered in Interstate 5 accident | Update

A 23-year-old Tukwila man has died from injuries suffered after his vehicle collided with a disabled logging truck at about 6:45 a.m. April 12 along Interstate 5 near South 188th Street.

Ivan Camacho-Nunez died at 2 p.m. April 14 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to a State Patrol media release.

Camacho-Nunez reportedly aggressively drove a 2002 Chevy Trail Blazer eastbound on State Route 518 and merged onto southbound I-5 when he collided with the truck disabled just north of South 188th Street in lane one, according to the State Patrol. Paramedics transported Camacho-Nunez to Harborview Medical Center.

Unaware that a semi truck was blocking the right lane ahead of the driver, Camacho-Nunez aggressively cut across a solid white line in an attempt to merge onto I-5 before legally allowed, according to the State Patrol.

Witnesses stated the Chevy was following a UPS truck which most likely blocked his view of the disabled semi.

The tragic results of this collision are easily preventable, said State Patrol spokeswoman Julie Startup. The solid white lines that stretch out from exits and onramps are to restrict drivers from making lane changes before it is safe to do so. Drivers that try to make up for lost time on the roadway often make decisions that can have life changing results, she said.

The semi driver stood outside his truck placing traffic cones in the roadway. He was not injured.

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Contact Tukwila Reporter Reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@tukwilareporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

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