Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has filed a US$17 million lawsuit over the collision that caused the collapse of part of the Skagit River Bridge in 2013.

It seeks to recoup the costs of the response and repair following the accident caused by an over-height vehicle slamming into multiple overhead braces of the I-5 Skagit River Bridge. The force of the strikes severely damaged the bridge and forced its collapse into the river. Two vehicles also fell into the water.

The suit, filed in Skagit County Superior Court, names five responsible parties: the truck driver; his employer, Mullen Trucking LP; the pilot-car driver; pilot-car company G&T Crawlers Service; and the owner of the metal shed being transported, Saxon Energy Services, Inc.

The Washington State Patrol major accident investigative team cited the truck driver for negligent driving, stating the bridge collapse resulted from a series of miscalculations, mistakes and errors by the driver and his employer. The owner of the shed that struck the bridge is also financially responsible for the catastrophic damage, according to state law, says WSDOT.