Woman identified after fatal head-on collision with semi-truck in Whatcom County

One person was killed after their SUV collided with a semi-truck in Lynden Friday afternoon, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The collision occurred around 12:42 p.m. near East Badger Road and Vinup Road in Lynden as the semi-truck driver attempted to avoid a stopped truck in the turning lane, according to Sgt. Heather Axtman. The semi crossed into the oncoming lanes and collided with the SUV head-on.

The driver of the SUV, Karen Heutink, 67, of Sumas, was taken to the hospital with critical injuries where she was later pronounced dead, according to the State Patrol.

The Border Patrol shut down East Badger Road between Line Road and Bender Road while the accident was investigated. The road reopened shortly after 5:30 p.m.

The spelling of the SUV driver’s name was corrected July 7, 2020.

This story was originally published July 3, 2020 at 1:17 PM.