A semi-truck driver is in custody following a crash with a Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) snowplow on Interstate 90 that left the plow overturned and its driver hospitalized.
According to WSDOT, the collision occurred Tuesday night on eastbound I-90 near Kittitas while a snowplow operator was actively treating the roadway. The agency said the plow was struck by a semi-truck, causing it to veer into the median and roll over.
NEW: Sat night on I-90 near Kittitas, WA, a WSDOT snowplow was struck by a semi-truck, causing the plow to roll over.
The semi driver was charged with DUI & the plow driver was transported to a hospital & later released
I'm investigating the driver's immigration status pic.twitter.com/PUXbkFZYVO
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) January 19, 2026
“Our snowplow driver was actively applying product to the road when a semi-truck struck his vehicle,” WSDOT said in a statement. “The impact caused our plow to enter the median and roll over.”
The snowplow driver was transported to a hospital in Ellensburg for evaluation and was later released. WSDOT officials said the driver is experiencing soreness but is otherwise okay.
Washington State Patrol arrested the semi-truck driver at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence. Kittitas County jail records show an Illinois man is being held on $15,000 bail for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment of an emergency zone worker. Jail records indicate the suspect is in custody, though formal charges have not yet been filed.
WSDOT officials called the incident “inexcusable” and emphasized the dangers snowplow operators face while working during winter storms.
“When our plows are actively treating the roads, they must drive slower than normal to apply product effectively and evenly,” the agency said. “Driving slower prevents scatter of material and keeps more of it on the roadway.”
The department urged drivers to make safe choices behind the wheel, stressing the importance of not driving impaired and giving snowplows adequate space.
“Do not crowd or pass our plows while they’re working,” WSDOT said. “We want all of our equipment available when a snowstorm comes, but more importantly, we want everyone to get home safely at the end of the day.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Washington State Patrol.
