Southbound Interstate 5 lanes near Kent were closed for approximately three hours Sunday afternoon due to a multiple-vehicle incident, according to the Washington State Patrol, the state Department of Transportation, and local fire departments.
Trooper Rick Johnson reported on social media at 1:40 p.m. that the southbound lanes were “fully blocked” by an estimated 45 automobiles involved in the collision. However, he stated that there were no significant injuries.
The crash occurred between Kent/Des Moines and Federal Way. According to the WSDOT, traffic delays extended for kilometers.
“Traffic is being diverted to state Route 516,” Johnson reported. “Tow trucks on the way and hoping to clear some lanes as soon as possible.”
Trooper Johnson encouraged cars to slow down.
“These collisions were caused by drivers going too fast, not the road or weather conditions,” he claimed.
Drivers and local fire departments were notified of the collision by WSDOT. Puget Sound Fire reported that they, South King Fire & Rescue, King County Medic One, and WSP were all on the site.
South King Fire authorities first thought that the incident included up to 30 automobiles.
Trooper Johnson stated the southbound lanes reopened around 4:40 p.m.
Reference: Crash of as many as 45 vehicles blocks southbound I-5 Sunday afternoon near Kent