Man Killed in Crash on I-5 Near Conway

Conway, WA- The Washington State Patrol responded to a four (4) Car Fatal Crash on Interstate 5 Northbound  (MP 221.98) near Conway around 2 pm on September 10th, 2015.

According to the press memo from the Washington State Patrol, Mariclare Depape, 19, of Mount Vernon was driving a 2000 Honda Civic, Southbound I-5 near milepost 221.98 in the center lane.

For reasons the State Patrol did not specify, her vehicle drifted off the roadway to the left, went through the cable barrier, across the median and struck a Northbound 1988 BMW 528 head-on. The BMW, driven by  64 year old, Joseph Gibbons of Issaquah spun and was struck by another vehicle, a 2003 Toyota Highlander that was being driven by Truc Nguyen of Tukwila.  A fourth Vehicle, a Northbound 2007 Acura MDX SUV, being driven by 42 year old, Sarah Ney of Oak Harbor struck the causing Honda. All vehicles came to rest in the Northbound Lanes of I-5 and blocked all lanes of the freeway.

The driver of the BMW was  killed instantly and pronounced dead at the scene.  All three drivers of the other involved vehicles were  transported to the  Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.

Note: An off duty Mount Vernon Firefighter arrived on scene moments after the crash and radioed into dispatch that the collision was a likely a fatality. He declared an MCI-Minor due to the seriousness of the crash and the number of vehicles involved. He was also able to give incoming units updates on the nature of injuries and status of the freeway. District 3 Firefighters assumed command of the scene once they arrived.

We also received several viewer reports immediately  after the accident that  a dog was running down the freeway, away from the accident. It is unknown if the dog was located and reunited with the owner.  The Washington State Patrol is investigating whether the Dog being loose inside the vehicle possibly contributed to the accident or not.

All Four vehicles were impounded to the Washington State Patrol Bullpen.

The press memo states it is unknown if Drugs or Alcohol played a role in the accident. The Washington State Patrol will conduct the proper tests to determine if it was a contributing factor.

The press memo states that the cause of the accident is under investigation.

Traffic was backed up for miles on I-5 for several hours while the Washington State Patrol Traffic Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene.

 Just prior to clearing the scene a vehicle fire on the opposite side of the freeway tied up the Southbound Lanes for a short period of time. Firefighters from District 3 Fire Responded and quickly extinguished the fire. Some of our viewers stated it took them 2-3 hours to get through the traffic delays.

The causing driver of the Honda was arrested at The Skagit Valley Hospital and Booked into the Skagit County Jail around 6:30 pm on September 10th for an Investigative Hold for  Vehicular Homicide.  She had not been charged at the time of the press release.