Olympia, WA (July 11, 2026) – Serious injuries were reported after a bicyclist was struck by two vehicles while crossing Interstate 5 near Pacific Avenue in Olympia late on Thursday night, July 9. The collision happened shortly after 11 p.m. on the northbound Interstate 5.
The bicyclist was traveling south across the northbound lanes when they entered the path of a northbound Jeep Grand Cherokee in the second lane, according to the Washington State Patrol. The bicyclist was then struck by a second northbound vehicle.
The injured bicyclist was taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries. The Jeep driver, a 43-year-old Seattle man, and his 39-year-old passenger were not injured. Officials said neither driver is expected to be at fault.
The crash blocked the three right lanes of northbound I-5 near milepost 133.69 for about three hours while the scene was cleared. All lanes reopened early Friday morning. We wish the bicyclist a swift recovery.
How Interstate Crashes Involving Bicyclists Are Reviewed
Bicycle crashes on highways can involve several factors, including traffic speed, visibility, roadway access points, and vehicle movement. Reviews of these incidents may examine where each person was traveling, lane positions, and conditions at the time of the collision.
Interstate roadways are designed for high-speed vehicle travel, which can increase the severity of impacts involving smaller road users. Vehicle lighting, roadway design, and driver awareness may also be considered when examining these crashes. These details can help explain how interactions between vehicles and bicyclists occur on major roads.
