Semi-truck crash, four-car collision blocks traffic on I-5 in Tumwater Wednesday
A four-car collision followed a semi-truck crash on Interstate 5 in Tumwater Wednesday afternoon.
The semi-truck crash occurred at 12:14 p.m. at milepost 104 of northbound I-5 near Custer Way, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Trooper Daniel Southard said the truck struck a barrier on the right while traveling in the right lane. The truck jackknifed and came to a rest in the left lane. A four-car collision then occurred in the back-up caused by the semi-truck crash.
First responders transported a person involved in the four-car collision to an area hospital as a precaution, Southard said. No serious injuries were reported, he added.
Troopers are investigating the cause of the semi-truck crash and the four-car collision, Southard said.
The two left lanes of the roadway were blocked until 1:36 p.m. Wednesday, according to a WSDOT update on X.
Similar semi-truck crashes have recently occurred at milepost 104. A semi-truck driver lost control while going around the same curve on the wet roadway on Oct. 24, The Olympian previously reported. The driver of that truck was hospitalized following the crash.
Two semi-trucks also collided in the same spot on Oct. 28, The Olympian also reported. In that instance, a semi-truck struck a pothole with standing water and lost control. A second semi-truck then collided with the first semi-truck. No injuries were reported.
In a press memo, State Patrol listed the cause of the Oct. 28 collision as “speed too fast for conditions.”
When asked why similar incidents keep happening at that milepost, Southard said he didn’t know, but rainy weather may be a factor.
“Usually, when inclement weather happens, that area gets affected seriously,” Southard said. “So, we encourage all drivers that are driving in the rain or inclement weather to slow down and increase following distance so we can reduce as many collisions as possible. …
As we approach the holiday season, we want everyone to get home safely.”
