Trucker Dies Trying To Warn Motorists

A Seattle trucker, who survived a three-vehicle accident on Interstate 82, was hit by a car and killed as he tried to warn other motorists of the peril ahead.

Sgt. Curt Hattell of the Washington State Patrol said drivers need to get out of harm’s way after an accident, particularly when the roads are slick and visibility is poor.

“The big thing to remember is get the heck out of the road,” Hattell said Saturday.

“Turn on the four-way flashers, if they still work, and … get to the shoulder or to wherever it’s safe.”

Killed in the Friday night accident was Michael L. Howe, 44, troopers said.

Howe’s tractor-trailer rig collided with a car and another tractor-trailer rig on the icy freeway, 12 miles south of Ellensburg, troopers said.

The accident blocked the eastbound lanes of I-82, and fog made it difficult to see. Howe got out of his truck and tried to warn motorists about the wreckage by waving for them to slow down, the patrol said.

Howe was hit by a car driven by Edward W. Flohr, 57, of Seattle, and died at the scene, troopers said.

Earlier Friday, Elliott B. Jackson, 31, of Harrah, survived a collision near Toppenish and then was hit by car while he stood in the road, troopers said.

Jackson was taken to Providence Yakima Medical Center, where he was in serious condition, a nursing supervisor said.