Originally published Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 2:45 PM

Chain-reaction accident shut down two of three lanes on I-405 Sunday

Drivers following too close caused a nine-car accident on Interstate-405 Sunday afternoon that shut down two of three lanes of traffic for about an hour, according to the Washington State Patrol.

By Christine Clarridge

Seattle Times staff reporter

Drivers following too close caused a nine-car accident on Interstate-405 Sunday afternoon that shut down two of three lanes of traffic for about an hour, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The accident occurred at about 1:26 p.m in the right lanes of southbound I-405 near State Route 169, state patrol spokeswoman Trooper Christina Martin said.

"There were a whole lot of drivers following too close," Martin said. "There was no swerving or anything and they were literally stuck together in a straight line when I saw them."

She said state trooper was investigating to determine what initially caused the chain-reaction accident.

Martin said a few people were treated for minor injuries at the scene of the accident and that five of the nine cars had to be towed away.

Traffic backed up for approximately two miles, she said, but the road was being cleared by 2:30 p.m.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com

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