Dead man found in van was killed in crash on I-405

EVERETT – A man whose body was unnoticed by state troopers investigating a rear-ended van on Interstate 405 near Bothell died as a result of the crash, an autopsy shows.

Investigators found David King, 52, of Phoenix, died of blunt impact injuries to his head and body, but a representative of the Snohomish County medical examiner’s office would not give the time of death or say Tuesday whether the troopers’ oversight was a contributing factor.

A Washington State Patrol investigation is continuing, and officials had not decided what action, if any, to take against the troopers involved, Trooper Lance C. Ramsay said Tuesday.

“We apologize for what has happened, and we (will) try to make things as easy as possible from here on.” Ramsay said. “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

A tow truck driver found King’s body in a sleeping bag Sunday evening about 15 hours after his disabled Ford Econoline van was hit from behind on the shoulder of the freeway northeast of Seattle.