EVERETT
A teenager from Granite Falls was fatally struck in a motorcycle collision on I-5 in Seattle on Monday afternoon, state troopers confirmed.
Washington State Patrol units arrived before 12:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a crash involving a motorcycle and a semi-truck in the northbound lanes near South Albro Place and Boeing Field.
Officials stated the incident began when a Honda motorcycle shifted from the far right lane into the adjacent lane and collided with the rear of a Chevy Express van. Following that impact, the bike veered into the third travel lane before sliding beneath a Peterbilt semi-truck pulling a trailer.
Mikhail Mashchits, 18, of Granite Falls, was operating the motorcycle at the time of impact and was pronounced dead at the scene.
No additional injuries were reported among the other drivers involved, and all remained at the location following the crash.
Northbound I-5 remained shut down for over three and a half hours to allow for investigation and recovery operations.
Troopers noted the crash’s root cause is still being evaluated, though initial observations indicated Mashchits was wearing a helmet. At this stage, it is unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a role.