BOTHELL — The Washington State Patrol says a sleepy driver caused the death of a motorcycle rider early Monday morning on Interstate 405 near Bothell.
Troopers told KOMO-TV the driver of a Nissan sedan was heading north near State Route 527 when he fell asleep and drifted into the left shoulder. He overcorrected and lost control, crossing all lanes to the right shoulder where he went through a guardrail and came to rest 25 feet down an embankment.
Troopers say the 50-year-old motorcycle rider right behind the car slammed on his brakes, which locked his wheels and the motorcycle slammed down onto the pavement. The rider suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Troopers later identified the victim as 50-year-old David S. Ames of Everett.
The driver of the car wasn’t hurt.
