Traffic & Transit
Double Semi Crash On I-5 In Fife: Lanes Reopened
I-5 has fully reopened after an 11-hour closure Friday.
PUYALLUP, WA — A series of collisions on I-5 in Fife have been wreaking havoc for drivers Friday.
Update 3 p.m.: I-5 has been fully reopened.
All lanes are back open! Troopers, @wsdot_tacoma, and @EcologyWA worked hard to get the milk-affected stretch all clean and safe! We know it was quite a wait - still Use caution and safe speeds in that area #BeSafe #WeCare #YourWSP @PierceCo @fife_washington pic.twitter.com/I3h09Ewbvm
— Trooper Robert Reyer (@wspd1pio) May 7, 2021
WSDOT first reported the first collision just before 4 a.m., saying one person had died in a crash on northbound I-5 near the county line between Pierce and King counties.
Find out what's happening in Puyallupfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Just half an hour later, they reported a second crash between two semis, also on northbound I-5, but at the Fife curve (near 54th avenue) which had completely closed all lanes of I-5 northbound.
Here's a daytime look at the collision involving two semis that's led to northbound I-5 being closed at the Fife curve. Follow @wsdot_tacoma for updates, but if you need to travel soon take alternate routes. This will take a while. pic.twitter.com/l4O5YUcLVQ
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 7, 2021
By 1:30 p.m. troopers had reopened two lanes of the freeway.
Find out what's happening in Puyallupfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Update: Two left lanes are open now - other three lanes remain blocked. Ramp from 54th Ave E to North I-5 also back open. Expect long delays and use caution when driving through that area! @wsdot_tacoma pic.twitter.com/mrUIUkc9WZ
— Trooper Robert Reyer (@wspd1pio) May 7, 2021
The remaining lanes were opened just before 3 p.m.
According to Washington State Patrol troopers, the second crash caused a significant amount of fish and milk to spill out of the semis and cover the roadway, a pungent cocktail that contributed to the prolonged response and clean up.
North I-5 at 54th Ave E is still fully blocked after a collision involving 3 semis. Troopers and @wsdot_tacoma at the scene. 30,000 lbs of fish need to be reloaded and a large milk spill cleared. Updates will be posted when available pic.twitter.com/uzKj5r8L0K
— Trooper Robert Reyer (@wspd1pio) May 7, 2021
Cleanup is in progress but it may take a little longer than initially expected. The spilled milk was carried northbound by several vehicles, creating dangerously slick, ice-like conditions on the road. @wsdot_tacoma is working hard to make the road safe again! pic.twitter.com/zUUDbZ7Or1
— Trooper Robert Reyer (@wspd1pio) May 7, 2021
At one point, the Department of Ecology even had to be called in to keep the milk from spilling into the nearby creek.
Creamer has impacted Hylebos Creek through storm drains. We are on scene to make sure nothing further gets into the creek. @wsdot_tacoma @CityofTacoma https://t.co/gqJYzdrLiK pic.twitter.com/L1LWVtcdbf
— Ecology - Southwest Region (@ecysw) May 7, 2021
The cause of both crashes remains under investigation.
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