I-5 crash in Fife blocks all southbound lanes after 102 mph police pursuit

A crash involving multiple cars near Fife caused sizeable traffic delays Friday morning after all lanes of southbound I-5 were blocked for one hour.

HEADS UP I-5 travelers heading southbound through Fife and Port of Tacoma, a two-car crash is blocking all lanes. Traffic is slowly getting by in the shoulder. Find alternate routes while we work to clear the scene. There’s a 4-mile backup currently: https://t.co/fDV1pW19VW https://t.co/aQPG1Dwf6P pic.twitter.com/GAhf2h97es

— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) February 13, 2026

Nearly all the lanes have reopened just after 10 a.m., the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) confirmed.

We’ve opened nearly all lanes on SB I-5 at Port of Tacoma Rd. in Fife. The right lane remains closed while we finish up. Pack your patience folks. It will take some time for traffic to clear. Real time info at https://t.co/HUGa1WTJfY https://t.co/QCSZDm010b pic.twitter.com/J5A79xIQNg

— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) February 13, 2026

The cause of the crash, closure of lanes

According to KIRO Newsradio Traffic, the crash occurred after a Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper attempted to pull over a driver traveling 102 miles per hour on I-5. During the pursuit, the driver of the fleeing vehicle crashed into another car before going into the center median barrier.

The suspect then attempted to run off, even trying to fight the WSP trooper to escape arrest. The suspect, a man in his 30s, was taken into custody, and the trooper was uninjured in the confrontation. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of felony eluding, DUI, resisting arrest, and reckless driving.

The driver of the second vehicle in the crash was injured and taken to a nearby hospital.

A four-mile backup occurred during Friday’s morning commute while troopers cleared the scene.

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