All lanes on southbound I-5 just south of SR 516 (Kent/Des Moines Road) in Kent were closed due to a massive, multi-vehicle accident involving 45 drivers on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2024, causing a backup of over five miles.
Puget Sound Fire, South King Fire & Rescue, King County Medic One, and the Washington State Patrol responded.
Fox13 reported that 18 tow trucks were needed to help clear the massive crash site.
A few victims were hospitalized, and many more were stuck in traffic for hours in the backup.
Cause(s) of the accident was not released, but there were heavy squalls of rain and wind moving through at the time, causing low visibility and slick roads.
Once all vehicles were removed, a sand truck was scheduled to clean up a minor oil spill.
All lanes were fully reopened late in the afternoon.