People commuting to Seattle from the South Sound on Thursday had a terrible morning after two crashes caused a backup on Interstate 5 that extended at times for 10 miles from around Kent/Des Moines into Pierce County, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The first crash, involving a vehicle and a semi truck, occurred around 4:30 a.m. at South 272nd Street in Federal Way. Multiple northbound lanes were closed for several hours as crews cleared that scene. Just as they finished, around 9 a.m., a second crash involving multiple vehicles occurred between South 296th Street and South 317th Street, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson.
Live updates:
Lanes reopen
All lanes of northbound I-5 through Federal Way are back open now that the Washington State Patrol has finished investigating the five-vehicle crash that occurred around 9 a.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.
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Continue to avoid NB I-5
Traffic on I-5 north through Federal Way remains at a crawl in the noon hour. No word yet on the reopening of the two lanes that were closed due to the second crash.
Reported carjacking attempt is unconfirmed
Johnson said that while some news outlets reported that at least one of the people who fled the second crash tried to jack a car, police haven't been able to confirm that or rule it out.
More information on the second crash
Five vehicles were involved in the second crash, Johnson said. That collision was caused by a driver who was using the left shoulder to pass, Johnson said. The two people in the vehicle that caused the crash ran away but were quickly caught and arrested, he said.
The scene blocked the three left northbound lanes, according to South King Fire & Rescue. Two people were injured, one of whom had to be extracted from a vehicle with the jaws of life, the agency tweeted.
Info in the NB I5 crash. It happened north of s 317th and we are blocking the two left lanes. Serious but not life threatening injuries to one, and minor injuries to two others. pic.twitter.com/nk32IhHOL9
The Good News: This incident just cleared on NB I-5 at S 272nd St.
The Bad News: Another multi-vehicle collision is blocking the left two lanes on NB I-5 just south of this one. Fire is on scene. Continue to expect delays, use alternate routes and delay any discretionary trips. pic.twitter.com/s8VNtNtDnY
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