Truck Crash Spills 80,000 Pounds of Potatoes on Washington Highway

The incident on State Route 18 snarled traffic for over 2 hours as crews worked to clear the scene.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A truck carrying 80,000 pounds of potatoes crashed and overturned on State Route 18 in eastern King County, Washington on Tuesday morning, shutting down westbound lanes for nearly 2 hours as crews worked to clear the scene. No injuries were reported, but the truck driver will be cited by the Washington State Patrol.

Why it matters

Truck crashes involving heavy cargo loads can significantly disrupt traffic and commerce, especially on major highways. This incident highlights the importance of highway safety and the need for proper cargo securement to prevent accidents and spills.

The details

The crash occurred around 9:45 AM PT near milepost 24 on Tiger Mountain, about 32 miles east-southeast of Seattle. The truck flipped onto its side, spilling its load of 80,000 pounds of potatoes across the roadway. Westbound lanes were shut down while a tow truck worked to clear the overturned vehicle.

  • The crash occurred around 9:45 AM PT on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Westbound lanes were shut down for nearly 2 hours until the scene was cleared by 11:45 AM PT.

The players

Washington State Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that responded to the crash and will cite the truck driver.

Trooper Rick Johnson

A spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol who provided details about the incident on social media.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Westbound lanes of the highway were shut down while a tow truck attended to the truck.”

— Trooper Rick Johnson, Washington State Patrol

What’s next

The Washington State Patrol will investigate the cause of the crash and issue a citation to the truck driver.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safe cargo transportation and the potential disruptions that can occur when large commercial vehicles are involved in accidents on major highways.