All northbound lanes on Interstate 5 (I-5) are closed in SeaTac following a rollover crash early Thursday.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), a car was traveling at a high rate of speed on the highway when it reportedly collided with a pickup truck. The car sustained front-end damage and then flipped over on its roof, ejecting a passenger. Upon investigation at the scene, the pickup truck had rear-end damage.
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WSDOT first reported the crash at 1:20 a.m. south of South 188th Street, with the closure expected to last until 7 a.m. at the earliest. All traffic is being detoured at South 200th Street before rejoining I-5 northbound. WSDOT has been warning motorists since 3 a.m. to find alternate routes and avoid I-5 in the area.
WSP reports that NB I-5 in SeaTac will be closed for several more hours due to an earlier accident on S. 188th. All traffic is exiting S. 200th and using Military Road before rejoining the freeway. The backup is 6 miles long. Use alternate routes or reschedule your trip if possible. pic.twitter.com/qrgSkpP8on
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) 22 August 2024
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The driver was arrested for assault with a vehicle and is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. The condition of the injured passenger is currently unknown.
As of 5 a.m., traffic was backed up for about ten kilometers. According to KIRO 7, WSDOT reports that the closure will last “for several more hours.”
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.
Frank Sumrall is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here and email him here.
