Trooper's Car Catches Fire; Blocks 405 During Rush Hour

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By By KOMO Staff

Summary

A car rear-ended a State Patrol vehicle on the shoulder of I-405 southbound in Bellevue, leading to a car fire and a huge traffic mess.

Story Published: Aug 9, 2005 at 4:01 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 2:02 AM PDT

Trooper's Car Catches Fire; Blocks 405 During Rush Hour
BELLEVUE - Those trying to get home on the Eastside were in for quite the challenge Tuesday afternoon after a crash and ensuing car fire blocked the southbound lanes of I-405 for several minutes.

The Washington State Patrol says one of their troopers was rear-ended by a Lincoln Town Car while the trooper was stopped on the shoulder near NE 4th Street in Bellevue around 5 p.m. The impact of the crash caught the trooper car's trunk on fire.

Crews closed all southbound lanes of the freeway and part of the northbound lanes, as well as some nearby streets, as there was ammunition in the burning car and officials feared an explosion.

But firefighters got the fire out shortly thereafter, and the freeway was reopened around 7 p.m. The trooper was taken to Overlake Hospital to be checked out.