LAKEWOOD, WA - At least seven people have been killed or injured around Puget Sound since last Thursday in crashes involving semi trucks. Although there's nothing to suggest that there's an overall increase in semi-involved accidents in Washington state, the most recent federal data on large truck crashes indicates an increase in fatal crashes. In April, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released statistics on crashes in 2015 - the most recent data available - which show an 8 percent increase over 2014 in fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses.

The recent spate of semi-involved crashes in Puget Sound began last Thursday when a semitrailer overturned along I-5 in Tacoma near 72nd Street. The driver of the trailer died, and four other vehicles were involved, although the occupants sustained only minor injuries. The accident closed I-5 for much of the day Thursday, snarling traffic in an already congested area. Simultaneously, a semi crashed in Olympia, and one person sustained minor injuries. The latest fatal crash happened Monday night along SR 167 near Algona. Scott Cricchio, 33, of Lake Tapps, was killed when a semi crashed into the back of his car, pushing him into a car stopped in front of him. Washington State Patrol believes the semi driver, Parminder Singh, 62, of Vancouver, was driving too fast to stop while entering an off-ramp to Ellingson Road. Two other cars were involved, and a 26-year-old woman was taken to the hospital for treatment.

On Sunday, Scott McCabe, 44, of Modesto, Calif., was driving his semi northbound along SR 507 near Roy when he lost control and plowed into a home. The home was seriously damaged, according to photos from the scene, but no one inside was injured. McCabe suffered a medical issue and was taken to the hospital, but is expected to recover. Also on Sunday, Vladimir Russu, 55, of Federal Way, was seriously injured driving along SR 18 when he collided with a semi. State police say that Russu crossed from the eastbound lanes into the westbound lanes and hit the semi head-on. On Monday, Russu was in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center, but was in stable condition. The driver of the semi, Stephen Whitley, 61, of Redmond, Ore., was injured and taken to Snoqualmie Valley Hospital.