BELLINGHAM, Whatcom County, Wash., Oct. 3, 2026 — Northbound Interstate 5 reopened near Bellingham after a three-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon, October 2, left one car on its roof, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The crash happened near Iowa Street, around milepost 253; three vehicles were involved, and one of them rolled over and came to rest upside down, according to the agency.
First responders, Incident Response crews and the Washington State Patrol were sent to the scene, officials said. It's not yet known how many people were hurt or how serious any injuries were, and that information had not been released as of this writing.
The crash blocked lanes for more than an hour, backing up traffic for over six miles, according to the transportation department. The circumstances that led to the collision remain under investigation.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Why Rollovers Usually Involve Taller Vehicles and SUVs
Rollover crashes tend to trace back to a vehicle's center of gravity more than to any single driving mistake. Taller vehicles, including SUVs, pickups, and vans, sit higher off the road than sedans, which makes them more prone to tipping when a tire catches a curb, a soft shoulder, or another car during a sudden sideways movement. A hard swerve to avoid a crash, or a secondary impact that pushes a vehicle off its line, can be enough to start the roll.
Speed and steering input matter too. Abrupt overcorrection, especially at highway speeds, can cause a taller vehicle's weight to shift fast enough that the tires lose grip and the body tips before the driver can recover. This is why rollovers usually follow what starts as a more minor crash or near miss rather than a direct high-speed impact.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 24 percent of fatally injured occupants in crashes classified as other, which were mostly rollovers, were belted in 2023. That figure points to how much seat belt use affects survival once a vehicle starts to roll.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers lower their chances of a rollover?
Keeping both hands on the wheel, avoiding sharp overcorrections, and slowing down before curves or lane changes all reduce the chance that a vehicle's weight shifts enough to tip it.
Do rollovers happen more on certain types of roads?
They're more common on highways and rural routes where speeds are higher, and shoulders may be uneven, both of which give a vehicle more room to tip once it leaves its lane.
What injuries typically result from a rollover?
Head, neck, and spinal injuries are common, along with injuries from being thrown against the roof or window if a seat belt isn't worn.
What actually causes a vehicle to tip over?
Most rollovers start with a loss of traction, usually from a sharp steering input, a tire leaving the pavement, or a side impact, combined with a vehicle's higher center of gravity.
What to Do After a Rollover Crash in Bellingham, WA
If you're involved in a rollover, stay as still as possible until you can assess whether you're hurt, since the position of the vehicle can make injuries harder to notice right away. Call 911 and wait for emergency crews before trying to exit if the vehicle is unstable or you're unsure of your condition.
Even if you feel fine afterward, a medical evaluation is a good idea, since some injuries from a rollover don't show symptoms immediately. Get the names of responding officers and ask how to request a copy of the crash report once it's filed, and take photos of the scene if you're able to safely do so.
