WA snowplow flips after being plowed into by drunk driving suspect

A semi truck driver is accused of driving drunk when he collided with a Washington state snowplow, forcing it to crash along Interstate 90 on Saturday.

The 32-year-old plow driver for the Washington State Department of Transportation was taken to an Ellensburg hospital but wasn’t seriously hurt, reported WSDOT officials. A Sunday morning update said the state worker was “experiencing some soreness.”

Nursultan Rysbekov, 29, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, was arrested for DUI and for allegedly endangering a roadway worker, said the Washington State Patrol.

The crash happened shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday in Kittitas County, about six miles east of Ellensburg.

Rysbekov was driving east in a Freightliner truck and trailer when he hit the snowplow working in the eastbound lanes, said the WSP. The collision caused the snowplow to careen into the median and flip.

Both men were wearing seat belts, said WSP investigators.

“While we’re grateful to hear our driver is ok, what happened last night is inexcusable,” WSDOT posted on Facebook on Sunday.

“When our plows are actively treating the roads, they must drive slower than normal to apply product effectively and evenly. Driving slower prevents scatter of material and keeps more of it on the roadway,” said the post.

“Make smart decisions before you get behind the wheel. Do not drive impaired. Do not crowd or pass our plows while they’re working,” said the post.

“We want all of our equipment to be available when a snowstorm comes, but – more importantly – we want everyone to get home safely at the end of the day.”

This story was originally published January 19, 2026 at 12:21 PM.