Burlington woman killed in head-on collision north of Cedarsville in Whatcom County

An 87-year-old Burlington woman died following a collision Wednesday on State Route 9.

Judith A. Cook, 87, was the passenger in a 2013 Toyota Corolla driven by Charles H. Cook, 86. The Cooks were heading north on State Route 9 near East Hoff Road, just north of Cedarville, when they collided head-on with another vehicle.

The oncoming vehicle, a 2003 Chevy Express van, was heading south when it crossed into the other lane and caused the head-on collision, according to a Washington State Patrol news release. The driver of the van, Blaise Zongo, 29, of Auburn, was not injured.

The Cooks were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, where Judith was pronounced dead.

Everyone involved in the collision was wearing seat belts, according to WSP.

This story was originally published July 19, 2024 at 8:21 AM.

Jack Belcher

The Bellingham Herald

360-715-2206

Jack Belcher covers transportation and recreation for The Bellingham Herald. He graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in digital journalism in 2020 and joined the staff in September 2022. Belcher resides in Bellingham.