CHOKEPOINTS

Six vehicles involved in I-5 crash in Tacoma early New Year’s Day

Jan 1, 2026, 1:47 PM

I-5 crash tacoma new year's day...

A photo of the six-car crash on I-5 in Tacoma amid dense fog. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)

(Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)

A crash involving six vehicles occurred on I-5 in Tacoma just before 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Nine people were involved in the crash in total. One person was taken to the hospital.

According to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the car that caused the collision stalled in one of the middle lanes. The car began coasting at a “slow rate of speed” before another vehicle crashed into the stalled car sometime before 1:00 a.m. at Portland Avenue in Tacoma.

A pileup involving six vehicles was the end result, causing the right four southbound lanes on I-5 to be closed off. Four tow trucks were needed to help clear the collision.

After the crash, a person was cited for negligent driving due to the driver “operating defective equipment,” according to WSP.

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Six vehicles involved in I-5 crash in Tacoma early New Year’s Day