Early morning police chase causes I-5 backup near SR 18 in Federal Way
Jan 28, 2026, 6:35 AM | Updated: 7:05 am
WSP troopers stop a fleeing vehicle on I-5 by deploying spike strips. (Photo courtesy of WSP)
(Photo courtesy of WSP)
Northbound I-5 just north of SR 18 in Federal Way was shut down to just one lane after a crash occurred following a brief police pursuit early Wednesday morning. By 7 a.m., only one lane is closed.
The police pursuit began when Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers attempted to contact a vehicle at a rest area, but it fled the scene. The car was stopped after authorities deployed spike strips on the highway.
“Troopers had a vehicle take off when contacted in rest area,” WSP Trooper Rick Johnson wrote on X. “Tires spiked after a short pursuit. The vehicle was involved in a non-injury collision.”
This is NB 5 near 18. Troopers had a vehicle take off when contacted in rest area. Tires spiked after a short pursuit. The vehicle was involved in a non-injury collision. Two in custody. pic.twitter.com/SJO7H6fnKE
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) January 28, 2026
The crash happened near milepost 143 on I-5. The closure of multiple lanes on northbound I-5 caused three-mile backups during early commuting hours.
“No estimate when lanes will reopen,” the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported. “Expect delays and use alternate routes.”
UPDATE 6am: Traffic is using the right lane to get by after a crash on NB I-5 near SR 18 (MP 143), but the backup is 3 miles and growing.
No estimate when lanes will reopen. Expect delays and use alternate routes. https://t.co/wwwh9e2sZR pic.twitter.com/6Tbh0EZg80
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 28, 2026
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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