MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Collisions, backups plague Tuesday commutes in south end, Pierce County

Sep 2, 2014, 12:39 PM | Updated: 12:58 pm

Injuries in the collision on northbound I-5 near JBLM do not appear to be life threatening, accordi...

Injuries in the collision on northbound I-5 near JBLM do not appear to be life threatening, according to State Trooper Guy Gill. (Photo: Washington State Trooper Guy Gill)

(Photo: Washington State Trooper Guy Gill)

As soon as the trailer is secured, the right lane will open. 
A suspected drunk truck driver slammed into another truck on westbound Highway 18 east of Auburn Way, spilling sand across the road.
And in Auburn, a suspected drunk truck driver slammed into another truck on westbound Highway 18 east of Auburn Way, spilling sand across the road.

"The roadway was closed for almost two hours because of where one of trailers had tipped over on its side and blocked one lane," said Washington State Trooper Chris Webb. "Then the causing semi truck and trailer was smashed up against the guardrail and was unable to be moved." 
Photo from the scene NB I-5 near the JBLM Main Gate. One vehicle is on the SB side and one is on the NB side. One of the vehicles involved in the crash on NB I-5 near JBLM. Amazingly, no life threatening injuries. One of the vehicles involved in the crash on NB I-5 near JBLM. Amazingly, no life threatening injuries.

It was a tough morning for drivers in the south end Tuesday morning. Collisions blocked I-5 and Highway 18 for hours.

A suspected drunk truck driver slammed into a sand truck on westbound Highway 18 east of Auburn Way, spilling sand across the road.

“The roadway was closed for almost two hours because of where one of the trailers had tipped over on its side and blocked one lane,” said Washington State Trooper Chris Webb. “Then the causing semi truck and trailer was smashed up against the guardrail and was unable to be moved.”

Webb said that causing driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

None of the injuries were life threatening.

In Tacoma, a collision blocked lanes in both directions of I-5 near the Joint Base-Lewis McChord Main Gate for hours.

State troopers said injuries in the crash don’t appear to be life threatening.

At one point, the backup stretched for 15 miles in the southbound direction.

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Collisions, backups plague Tuesday commutes in south end, Pierce County