Eastbound lanes of SR 16 reopened at Tacoma Narrows Bridge after car crashes into ‘radioactive core’
Aug 14, 2025, 6:05 AM | Updated: 8:06 am
The radioactive material that was involved in the car crash on SR 16 was deemed safe to remove from the scene. (Photo courtesy of WSP)
(Photo courtesy of WSP)
All eastbound lanes of State Route 16 (SR 16) have reopened at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge after a car crash occurred in a construction zone, shutting down the lanes for more than seven hours.
“Around 12:45 (a.m.), a car entered the construction zone and struck several construction vehicles and a piece of equipment that contained a radioactive core,” Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper John Dattilo wrote on X.
No injuries occurred in the crash. There is also no danger to the public, Dattilo confirmed.
“For those of you asking, the instrument that was hit is used to measure the density of asphalt to ensure that it meets safety standards,” Dattilo added. “The construction zone was in place for pane paving, and the device was in use to ensure that the new lane was safe to drive on.”
— Trooper John Dattilo (@wspd1pio) August 14, 2025
Just before 7:30 a.m., the Department of Health deemed the radioactive material, seen in the photo above, safe to remove. The southbound lanes reopened once the emergency vehicles at the scene are clear.
The driver was arrested for DUI and taken to a local hospital.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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