Four-vehicle collision shuts down I-5 exit ramp for nearly four hours; Driver is charged with drunk driving and assault

On Friday evening, October 4, 2024, a suspected drunk driver caused a four-vehicle crash on northbound I-5 near the South 272nd Street exit, resulting in serious injuries and blocking the roadway for nearly four hours .

According to the Washington State Patrol, the driver of the wrong-way vehicle was injured and transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

It is unclear whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

The driver faces charges of assault and driving under the influence (DUI).

The incident began when the driver entered the freeway from the eastbound S. 272nd Street exit and headed the wrong way onto northbound I-5. At this point, three other vehicles left the highway.

The ghost vehicle crashed head-on into the second vehicle before continuing on and crashing into a third vehicle. The third vehicle spun and was hit by a fourth car. The ghost vehicle then left the road, rolled over and ended up upside down in the ditch.

The other vehicles involved came to a stop and completely blocked the exit. The roadway was closed for three hours and 57 minutes while emergency crews were on scene.

No information was initially available about the condition of the other drivers.

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