Collisions close I-5 in Federal Way

By Benjamin Leung • March 6, 2023 6:45 pm
A vehicle going southbound on I-5 crossed into northbound lanes the morning of March 5, causing a collision at S. 336th Street. (Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue)
A vehicle going southbound on I-5 crossed into northbound lanes the morning of March 5, causing a collision at S. 336th Street. (Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue)

Two separate collisions on March 5 and March 6 resulted in temporary closures and slow traffic on Interstate 5 near Federal Way.

Two-vehicle collision

A 37-year-old Maple Valley man and 45-year-old SeaTac man were transported to Harborview Medical Center on March 5 after a two-vehicle collision at approximately 7:25 a.m. on I-5 near Federal Way.

According to a news release from the Washington State Patrol, the 37-year-old man, driving southbound and approaching South 336th Street, lost control and crossed the median, jumping the guardrail into the northbound I-5 lanes.

The 45-year-old man, driving in the northbound lane, attempted to swerve to avoid the airborne vehicle, according to the news release. The vehicles collided, totaling both vehicles, and came to a rest in lanes two and three.

The crash resulted in a 2 hour and 55 minute closure of the roadway. Investigation regarding the cause of the crash continues.

Four-vehicle collision

Harborview Medical Center have pronounced Tysen Blodgett, a 41-year-old Puyallup man, dead as a result of injuries sustained in a four-vehicle collision on March 6 at approximately 5:20 a.m. on I-5 near Federal Way.

Blodgett was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition following the accident, with a news release from the Washington State Patrol on March 7 pronouncing him dead.

While traveling southbound on I-5 approaching South 320th Street, Blodgett’s vehicle lost control on the icy roadway, according to the Washington State Patrol. The vehicle swerved to the right and struck a concrete jersey barrier.

A second and third vehicle struck the man’s vehicle, with his vehicle coming to a rest in the third lane of five, where it was struck a final time by a fourth vehicle, according to WSP.

A 59-year-old California man was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center for injuries related to the accident. The two other drivers involved in the accident were uninjured.

The collision resulted in a three and a half hour closure of the roadway, according to state patrol.

The crash remains under investigation.

Story updated as of March 7 to reflect the death of Tysen Blodgett, 41, of Puyallup.