Crash of as many as 45 vehicles blocks southbound I-5 Sunday afternoon near Kent

OLYMPIA — Southbound Interstate 5 lanes near Kent were blocked for about three hours Sunday afternoon because of a multiple-vehicle crash, according to the Washington State Patrol, the state Department of Transportation and area fire crews.

Trooper Rick Johnson said via social media about 1:40 p.m that the southbound lanes were “fully blocked” by an estimated 45 vehicles involved in the wreck. However, he said there were no serious injuries.

The crash occurred between the Kent/Des Moines area and Federal Way. Traffic backups extended for miles, according to WSDOT.

“Traffic being diverted to state Route 516,” Johnson said. “Tow trucks on the way and hoping to clear some lanes as soon as possible.”

Trooper Johnson urged drivers to slow down.

“These collisions were caused by drivers going too fast, not the road or weather conditions,” he said.

WSDOT alerted drivers about the crash, as well as area fire departments. Puget Sound Fire said they, South King Fire & Rescue, King County Medic One and WSP were on scene.

South King Fire officials initially estimated that as many as 30 vehicles were involved in the crash.

Southbound lanes reopened about 4:40 p.m., Trooper Johnson said.