Northbound Interstate 5 turned into a parking lot near the Nisqually River Bridge in DuPont on Thursday after a suspected impaired driver barricaded themself in a vehicle, sparking a brief standoff that wrecked the morning commute.
How the Standoff Unfolded
Troopers with the Washington State Patrol’s Olympia unit began pursuing a vehicle they believed was being driven under the influence before it came to a stop at the south end of the Nisqually River Bridge, according to the Washington State Patrol. Investigators say the driver then barricaded themself inside the car, prompting troopers to move in and use a PIT maneuver to bring the incident under control and secure the scene.
Arrest and Charges
Authorities arrested one person on multiple charges that include felony eluding, driving under the influence and obstruction, as reported by KING 5. Officials did not immediately release the suspect’s name or provide further details about the investigation.
Traffic Backups and Reopening
The Washington State Department of Transportation said northbound I-5 lanes were initially blocked near milepost 114.86 at the south end of the bridge, triggering backups along the freeway. As the situation stabilized, only the right lane remained blocked while delays lingered, according to WSDOT. Crews later cleared the scene and all northbound lanes reopened later in the morning.
Officials did not immediately report any injuries, according to KING 5. Drivers in the DuPont and Olympia area were urged to keep an eye on traffic updates as the morning commute got back to something closer to normal.
