A tragic incident unfolded on Interstate 5 in Seattle when 22-year-old Esteban Cortes was fatally struck by a vehicle after his car broke down, local authorities reported earlier today. Cortes, from Marysville, encountered dire mechanical issues leading him to exit his immobile car and perilously cross the bustling freeway.
Cortes' poor decision to traverse the interstate on foot not once, but twice, proved fatal. According to KIRO 7, his vehicle was parked on the right shoulder due to "tire and rim damage". He initially crossed to the left shoulder for an undetermined reason and subsequently attempted to return across the northbound lanes before being hit by a 2024 Lexus ES.
The collision occurred near the Mercer Street exit around 12:45 a.m., and the Washington State Patrol has been investigating why Cortes took such a risky move. "For some reason, the driver then got out and crossed all lanes to get to the left shoulder," the report by KOMO News stated.
Despite efforts by the Seattle Fire Department to save his life, Cortes was pronounced dead at the scene. "Seattle Fire Department medics tried to save the 22-year-old Marysville man, but he was declared dead at the scene," KING 5 reported. The fatal incident caused a significant traffic disruption, with the three left lanes of northbound I-5 blocked for more than four hours as officials managed the aftermath.
