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Rain, Speed Blamed For Series Of Crashes

Posted: 7:31 am PDT August 11, 2009Updated: 1:00 pm PDT August 11, 2009

One man is dead after a crash in the rain on Interstate 5 in Seattle. It was one of several collisions overnight after rain moved through the region for the first time in weeks.

Troopers said speed was the primary factor in the fatal accident on I-5 at Michigan Street at about 1:45 a.m.

Witnesses said the driver tried to make a quick move from the southbound fast lane to the Corson-Michigan Exit when he lost control and hit the guard rail. He was taken to Harborview, where he died.

An SUV rolled over onto its top on Interstate 90 near Rainier Avenue at about 9 a.m., a Department of Transportation camera showed. The scene was cleared by 10:15 a.m.

Meanwhile, in Sumner, the State Patrol was working an accident that troopers blamed on rain-slicked roads.

One car lost control and ran off the shoulder of an off-ramp from State Route 410, then a pickup came up behind it, going faster. The pickup rolled onto its top along the guardrail.

"It appears that, for the second vehicle, both alcohol and drugs is a contributing factor to the collision itself," said Trooper John Lizama. "There were minor injuries to the female driver and possibly minor injuries to the infant, who was in a car seat, but not properly fastened."

A four-car collision was reported in the Battery Street tunnel just before 7 a.m.

Police said to protect yourself, slow down a bit and allow some extra room to escape in case someone skids close by.

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