FIFE, Wash. — All lanes have reopened on southbound Interstate 5 after an hours-long closure Friday morning following a deadly crash.
A car headed southbound struck a disabled vehicle on the right shoulder before 4:45 a.m. Friday morning. The southbound car was then struck by a semi-truck. The driver of the southbound car was killed, while the driver of the disabled vehicle was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
The two right lanes of I-5 south were closed just before 54th Avenue for several hours before reopening at around 9:30 a.m. Backups extended to State Route 18, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
WSDOT told drivers to expect extended lane closures while the investigation into the crash continued. The agency advised drivers to leave early, or if they could, wait out the traffic congestion.
In addition to southbound backups, there were also backups on northbound I-5 near the accident. There were no blocking incidents. WSDOT attributed the congestion to "lookie-loos."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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