Deadly Car Crashes Kill 3

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By By KOMO Staff

Summary

A father and his young son were killed in a chain reaction car crash involving a flatbed semi-truck on northbound I-5 Tuesday afternoon; accident in Lacey kills 1, injures 2.

Story Published: Aug 19, 2003 at 1:34 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 29, 2009 at 12:27 PM PDT

Deadly Car Crashes Kill 3
SOUTH OLYMPIA - A father and his 9-year-old son were killed in a fiery car crash Tuesday afternoon on I-5 at Custer Way, just south of where the interstate meets Highway 101.

The chain reaction crash started when one car driving on the northbound lanes lost a tire on its trailer.

The stray tire bounced across several lanes of traffic, forcing other drivers to slow down.

Police tell KOMO 4 News a flatbed semi-truck carrying a load of pipes was driving in the far left-hand lane of northbound I-5 and apparently did not notice the cars slowed down in front.

The semi-truck was going full speed when it slammed into a Honda.

The Honda burst into flames with a father and his two boys inside. A good Samaritan pulled one boy, 7-year-old Cody Holliday, from the burning car. Sadly, his father Blake and 9-year-old brother Wyatt were killed.

The semi-truck also hit another car after it slammed into the Honda, injuring more people.

A total of five people were injured in the crash. They were all taken to St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia.

The police investigation was focusing on the driver who lost a tire on their trailer, and on the semi-truck driver.

"That semi truck driver should have been able to stop," said Trooper Johnny Alexander with the Washington State Patrol. "Other cars were able to stop, he should have been able to stop as well.

"(Also) he shouldn't have been in the left lane, and that's something we'll be looking at very closely."

State law prohibits any truck or vehicle towing a trailer or any combination truck over 10,000 pounds from using the left lane of freeways that have three or more lanes going in one direction.

It is still unclear if anyone will face any charges.

Lacey Accident Kills 1

About an hour after the Tumwater accident, another accident killed a man in Lacey.

A woman was driving on Mullen Road when police say she blew through a stop sign at Meridian Drive. A pickup going through the intersection couldn't stop and slammed into her car.

The woman, her 18-month-old great-granddaughter, and 25-year-old nephew were all thrown from the car. No one had on a seat belt.

The nephew was flown to Harborview, but later died.

The 58-year-old woman is in fair condition at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia. The child was in critical condition at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. The driver of the truck was also hurt.