A high-speed traffic stop on southbound Interstate 5 near Port of Tacoma Road turned into a two-car wreck Friday morning, tangling the commute through Fife and the Port of Tacoma. Authorities said the suspected driver was taken into custody after his vehicle hit another car and then slammed into the center median. One person riding in the second vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Trooper account and charges
According to The News Tribune, Washington State Patrol Trooper Kameron Watts said the suspect, described as a man in his 30s, was driving about 102 miles per hour when a trooper tried to pull him over. The driver lost control, struck another car and then hit the center median jersey barrier. He was arrested on suspicion of felony eluding, DUI, resisting arrest and reckless driving. The outlet also reported that Washington State Patrol dispatched medical aid to the scene as a precaution.
Traffic impacts
WSDOT Tacoma posted on X that all southbound lanes at Port of Tacoma Road were initially blocked and that traffic was “slowly getting by in the shoulder,” with backups stretching about four miles while crews cleared the scene. The agency urged drivers to find alternate routes, and Washington State Patrol updates, including a thread from Trooper Watts, later reported that the HOV lane had reopened. Officials said drivers should expect lingering congestion as the backup eased during the morning commute.
On-scene details
KIRO 7 reported that Trooper Watts’ on-scene thread showed the suspect’s car disabled in the middle of the freeway after it hit the center median, and that troopers were allowing only limited traffic through the shoulder while they investigated and managed the crash. KIRO 7 also noted that the trooper involved was not injured and that crews were assessing damage to the barrier before tow trucks arrived.
Legal context
Attempting to elude a police vehicle is classified as a class C felony under Washington law, and a conviction can result in license revocation and other penalties, according to RCW 46.61.024. Prosecutors may seek enhanced allegations if they determine that people were put in danger during a chase, which can increase potential sentencing exposure.
Troopers and WSDOT urged drivers to keep an eye on agency social media feeds for travel updates while towing and cleanup continued, warning motorists to plan for delays through the rest of the morning. The News Tribune and traffic agencies are expected to provide follow-ups as investigators finish their on-scene work.
