The crash unfolded quickly on I-5 just south of 56th Street in Tacoma yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle.
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According to information shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Washington State Patrol Trooper John Dattilo, both vehicles were traveling northbound on I-5 when one of them attempted to change lanes. In that split second, the car and motorcycle collided, causing an instant, horrifying turn of events.
Washington State Patrol Explains What Happened in I-5 Motorcycle Fatal
During the lane change, the motorcyclist was struck and ejected from the bike, causing them to fly over the barrier and land in the southbound lanes of the freeway. The chaotic scene immediately triggered a response from multiple emergency crews, including WSP troopers, WSDOT Tacoma, and West Pierce Fire & Rescue.
The crash forced the closure of two southbound lanes and one northbound lane, and major traffic backups in both directions for hours.
Despite the quick response, the motorcyclist sadly did not survive the crash. Emergency personnel worked quickly, but the severity of the injuries was too great. The driver of the passenger vehicle remained at the scene, was not intoxicated, and is fully cooperating with the investigation…