A violent encounter on Interstate 5 in Washington state left one man dead and three others injured Wednesday afternoon. In a chaotic scene that unfolded near Federal Way, just south of Seattle, Washington state Trooper Rick Johnson confirmed to ABC News, the driver, a male, was found dead from a stab wound following what was reported as both a stab and shoot scenario.

According to Johnson's statement to KOIN, the BMW, identified as stolen, was the scene of the altercation. The front-seat passenger, a male, was hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. The two other passengers, a man, and a woman, were also found injured with stab wounds by the time responders arrived. Johnson added, the condition of the surviving victims remained uncertain.

The investigation into the event caused significant traffic disruptions. It was initially mistaken for a crash, which led to the discovery of the wounded individuals. As a result, authorities closed two northbound lanes and the off-ramp to the SeaTac Rest Area, causing a miles-long traffic jam extending into Fife and Pierce County, reported WWMT. The congestion persisted well into the evening, with a backup noted at 5:30 p.m.

While the circumstances leading to the deadly event inside the vehicle are not clear, evidence at the scene included a stolen handgun found near the car. Trooper Rick Johnson assured the public that there was no broader threat implied from the event, stating, "Right now, there's no danger to the public, there is no one outstanding. We have everybody involved detained," as told to WWMT. This statement indicated that those involved were already in police custody, while the investigation continues to determine the sequence of events, including the identification of the suspect and victims.