Car hauler without CDL arrested after multi-vehicle crash in Lacey, 3 injured

A large collision involving a school bus, a car hauler, and four other vehicles blocked all lanes of northbound I-5 near Martin Way E. in Lacey on Thursday.

Trooper Watts noted that the cause of the collision seemed to be from “speeds too fast for conditions.” The semi truck was following too closely behind the school bus, lost control, and jackknifed in the middle of NB I-5.

Three individuals involved in the collision were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

At approximately 7:45 a.m., WSP Trooper Kameron Watts confirmed that no students were on the bus.

At approximately 10 a.m., the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced that all northbound I-5 lanes were reopened.

Car hauler arrested for driving without valid CDL

Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Kameron Watts noted that the driver of the car hauler was under arrest for driving a commercial vehicle without a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The driver will be booked into the Thurston County Jail.

“During the course of this investigation, we called out commercial vehicle enforcement officers who do extensive inspections on semis. It’s literally their whole job. They’re very good at what they do,” WSP Trooper Watts told KIRO Newsradio. “Within the course of that investigation, it was found out that the driver of this semi did not possess a valid commercial driver’s license from out of the country or within the U.S.

“After that was found out, our troopers made an arrest on the semi driver, for not having a valid CDL, which counts as a gross misdemeanor within the state of Washington,” Watts continued. “It really baffles me how someone got hired at a commercial vehicle company, if they’re even legit. This is something I’m still investigating myself.”

In an update at 8:18 a.m., WSDOT announced that two lanes had reopened, and the right lane remains blocked.

There are now 2 lanes open on I-5 NB near Martin Way in @CityofLacey. The right lane remains blocked. It will be slow going until we’re able to clear the scene. Pack your patience folks. pic.twitter.com/nwF2LQRUkD

— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) December 4, 2025

Delays can be expected throughout the area

WSDOT advised travelers to use alternate routes as lengthy traffic delays are expected throughout the area.

Here’s a look at the crash on I-5 NB that has all lanes blocked near Martin Way in @CityofLacey. We expect this to be a lengthy incident. Use alternate routes until we’re able to clear the scene. Real time travel info at https://t.co/HUGa1WTJfY pic.twitter.com/ndasvBq9gz

— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) December 4, 2025

Traffic was previously passing by on the left shoulder, and then was being diverted to Martin Way E before all lanes were reopened.

Contributing: Chris Sullivan, KIRO Newsradio

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

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