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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF KING
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NO. KEVIN BERETA and JENNY PLATT BERETA, husband and wife; and Kevin Bereta, as Guardian for COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL their three minor children, INJURIES – HIGHWAY DESIGN Plaintiffs, v. THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, Defendant.
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CASE SYNOPSIS The barrier railing on the South Michigan overpass in Seattle is approximately 27 inches in height. Interstate 5 lies about 30 feet below. In 2014, The Washington State Department of Transportation noted that a 42-inch traffic fall protection barrier was needed to render overpasses reasonably safe. But no adjustments were made to the South Michigan overpass. In 2018, a motorcyclist was launched from the overpass onto the pavement below and died. In 2020, a motorcyclist was launched from the overpass and struck the barrier rail on the right shoulder of Interstate 5 milepost 161. He was severely injured but survived.
23 24 COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURIES – HIGHWAY DESIGN - 1
STRITMATTER KESSLER KOEHLER MOORE 3600 15th Avenue West, #300 Seattle, Washington 98119 T: 206.448.1777