TACOMA, Wash. — A Washington State Patrol (WSP) vehicle was involved in a multi-car crash on the ramp from northbound State Route 7 to northbound Interstate 5 in Tacoma early Tuesday morning.
The WSP said between eight and 12 cars were involved in the crash, including a WSP vehicle.
The Washington State Department of Transportation first reported the crash just after 3:45 a.m. The ramp from SR 7 to northbound I-5 was closed for several hours before reopening around 6:40 a.m.
The WSP said multiple ambulances were called to the scene. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries as a precaution, according to WSP Trooper Robert Reyer. The trooper involved in the crash was not injured.
Black ice has been reported on roads around the south Sound Tuesday morning. Reyer tweeted troopers were “handling several spin-out collisions due to icy conditions” in Pierce and Thurston counties.
Black ice is hard-to-see ice on the roadway and causes slick conditions for drivers. The road may look normal or even a little wet when there are patches of black ice on top.
Black ice forms when temperatures fall below 32 degrees, and there is already rain, snow, or slush on the roadway. It’s especially prevalent in the early morning hours when snowmelt has refrozen on surfaces overnight.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned drivers of black ice during the Tuesday morning commute after light rain and freezing or near-freezing temperatures overnight. Anyone needing to travel this morning is asked to be careful and give themselves extra time during the morning commute.
“The roads could look clear but that doesn't mean there isn't a thin sheet of ice on it,” the NWS tweeted.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.