Man killed in semi, car crash on Highway 18; road closed for more than 6 hours

KING COUNTY, Wash. - The Washington State Patrol conducted a fatality investigation after a crash on Highway 18 on Monday afternoon, which kept the roadway closed for more than six hours -- until just before 11 p.m.

The crash happened around 4:45 p.m. and involved a Dodge Magnum station wagon and a semi truck.

The State Patrol said the Dodge was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 east of Issaquah/Hobart Road when it crossed the center line and struck the oncoming semi head-on.

The driver of the Dodge was ejected from the vehicle and died in the crash. He was later identified as Patrick Saylor, 30, of White Ridge, Colo.

The driver of the semi -- a 41-year-old man from Greensburg, Ind. -- was injured and taken to Swedish Hospital.

Both directions of Highway 18 were closed east of the crash. The westbound closure begins at I-90, and the eastbound clsoure begins at Issaquah-Hobart Rd. At about 6:40 p.m., WSDOT siad the stretch of road would remain closed "for several more hours" and said commuters who were stuck in the closure would be cleared out of the area "when troopers and crews deem it safe to do so."