(South Seattle, Washington) On October 12th, at 12:50 p.m., a report was made in regard to a collision that involved a motorcycle, a van, and a semi-truck that killed 18-year-old Mikhail Mashchits.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the motorcyclist was merging lanes when the rider hit the back of a van causing the driver to crash into the middle lane where the semi-truck was driving in.
The motorcyclist is identified as 18-year-old Mikhail Maschits of Granite Falls.
The collision is under investigation.
Legal Analysis on the Northbound I-5 Crash
When a vehicle crash involves a motorcycle and other vehicles where a motorcyclist hits one or multiple vehicles, investigators can often review the following too closely. This law can help investigators determine what section the motorcyclist violated.
Because the motorcyclist hit the van, It’s possible that the motorcycle was tailgating the van as it is prohibited under RCW 46.61.145 (1). This law discusses that a motor vehicle should not follow another vehicle, closer than reasonable or prudent due to the speed of other vehicles and the traffic and conditions of a highway. This may have also been the case for the semi-truck, resulting the truck to hit the motorcyclist
Advice to those Affected
If you were affected by the fatal crash, seeking emotional help through loved ones or counseling is strongly suggested. If you want to learn more about the investigation, contacting the Washington State Patrol can answer any questions you may have.
Have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident? call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
