13-Mile Backups After Major Crashes On Interstate 5 In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, WA — All lanes of northbound Interstate 5 reopened in Lakewood Monday afternon after major crashes blocked the road through the morning commute. According to Washington State Patrol, first responders were called to I-5 near Berkeley Street on reports of a semi fire on the freeway around 1 a.m. Troopers said an SUV drove through the scene shortly before 4 a.m., crashing into emergency crews and hitting two fire trucks, a patrol car, a WSDOT vehicle, and another car.

According to investigators, the driver of the SUV had been involved in a pursuit with Thurston County deputies before the crash. The sheriff's office said deputies stopped chasing the vehicle shortly before it got on Interstate 5. The SUV's driver and passenger were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Troopers said no one else was injured.

A lengthy investigation and clean-up effort blocked all northbound lanes for several hours. Two lanes were reopened shortly after 9 a.m. WSDOT encouraged drivers to postpone trips as possible with delays expected to extend into the afternoon. Transportation officials said northbound backups strectched over 13 miles from the crash scene by noon. All lanes reopened shortly before 2 p.m.

Clover Park schools were operating on a two-hour delay and all half-day programs were canceled.