Traffic

UPDATE: I-5 southbound traffic resumes following a fatal collision in Mount Vernon

By Robert Mittendorf and Jack Belcher

Updated February 13, 2025 10:18 AM

Interstate 5 is blocked at George Hopper Road in Mount Vernon at 5 a.m. in Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in this view from a Washington State Department of Transportation camera. Washington State Department of Transportation Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

UPDATE: Southbound traffic resumed on I-5 at George Hopper Road around 6:48 a.m. Thursday.

Southbound Interstate 5 was closed early Thursday for a fatal motorcycle crash in Mount Vernon.

Traffic was being diverted at George Hopper Road at 5 a.m., officials at the Washington State Patrol tweeted.

“Please be patient while troopers on scene investigate this tragic collision,” the State Patrol tweeted.

Traffic was backed up across the city to Cook Road at 5 a.m., the Washington State Department of Transportation tweeted.

“Please use alternate routes and do not drive the wrong way up on- or off-ramps. Give yourself extra time. This will be a lengthy closure,” WSDOT tweeted.

This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 6:27 AM.

Robert Mittendorf

The Bellingham Herald

360-756-2805

Robert Mittendorf covers civic issues, weather, traffic and how people are coping with the high cost of housing for The Bellingham Herald. A journalist since 1984, he also served 22 years as a volunteer firefighter for South Whatcom Fire Authority before retiring in 2025.

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.

Get unlimited digital access

#ReadLocal