TACOMA, Wash. — All lanes of northbound Interstate 5 in Tacoma are now open after a semi-truck crashed into a barrier and caught fire early Tuesday morning.
The crash happened around 2 a.m. near Portland Ave E. At one point, the crash closed all lanes of the interstate. Northbound I-5 fully reopened around 7:20 a.m.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Robert Reyer said the driver of the semi-truck was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is currently unknown if the driver of the semi-truck fell asleep at the wheel or had a medical emergency. Troopers on the scene said there were no signs of braking before the semi crashed into the barrier.
The Tacoma Fire Department was able to put the fire out. Photos from the scene show the cab of the semi-truck was destroyed in the fire.
Download our free KING 5 app to stay up-to-date on news stories from across western Washington.