Two Semis Crash on I-5 So Close to Trooper, the Debris Broke His Windshield

A semi truck struck another semi after WSP stopped them on I-5, causing debris to slam onto the windshield of the CVEO's patrol car and shatter it.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Kameron Watts posted the alert today about the crash, one of the more vivid reminders of why the Move Over law exists, and why it is not optional.

Nobody was injured this time, but that is fortunate given what could have happened.

What Went Wrong on I-5, But Could Have Been Worse

A CVEO, a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer, had a semi stopped on the side of southbound I-5. That is a completely routine traffic enforcement stop. What is not routine is when a second semi truck failed to slow down or move over, struck the stopped semi, and sent debris flying into the patrol car parked nearby.

Think about that sequence for a moment. A law enforcement officer was standing near that stopped semi and that patrol car doing their job. Debris ricocheting off an 80,000-pound semi truck at highway speed is not something a person walks away from on luck alone.

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Today they did. Not every close call ends the same way.

The Washington State Law Is Clear and So Is the Reason

Washington state's Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and move over, changing lanes away from stopped emergency vehicles, law enforcement and roadside workers whenever possible.

When a lane change is not possible, drivers must slow to a safe speed and make as much room as possible.

This is not a courtesy, but is state law, and violations carry big fines.

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