Yakima Fire Department (YFD) crews responded to the scene of a semi-truck accident that claimed the life of the driver early this morning, Tuesday. There were no other vehicles involved in the accident.
At 3:53 am this morning YFD was called to the area of Interstate 82 and North 1st Street, where a semi-truck and trailer had rolled off the overpass and landed on North 1st Street. The driver was still inside the cab of the truck. YFD crews determined the driver was deceased at the scene. YFD crews then secured the scene and command was turned over to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
Following WSP’s investigation, YFD crews removed the deceased victim to the street level. The body was turned over to the coroner.
The truck cargo area was a food-grade truck transporting milk, per the bill of lading. The entire truck had been ripped open in the accident and contents were spilled on the street.
The following ramps/streets are closed in the area of Highway 12 and North 1st Street, per WSP Trooper Chris Thorson:
- North 1st Street
- Eastbound Highway 12 ramp to N. 1st St
- Westbound I-82 ramp to N. 1st St
- SR 823 ramp to N. 1st St
There is no estimated time for re-opening as of now, per Thorson. He provides ongoing updates on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wspd3pio
You can also find updates about the accident scene from the Washington State Department of Transportation at https://twitter.com/WSDOT_East
The Yakima Police Department advises drivers to avoid the area today and use alternate routes.