Overturned Tanker Shuts Down Interstate 5; Causes Evacuations

A truck hauling 7,7000 gallons of gasoline overturned on Thursday morning, causing the closure of Interstate 5 in both directions in Fife, Washington.

According to reports, the tanker truck was attempting to enter northbound I-5 from the Port of Tacoma when it rolled over on a ramp and began to leak fuel.

The Washington State Patrol speculated that the driver was traveling too fast to maneuver a turn onto the northbound on-ramp. This caused the tanker truck lose control and flip.

One trooper told reporters, “He came in a little hot and didn’t quite make the corner to get onto I-5.”

As a precaution, buildings within a half-mile radius were evacuated. The fire department reported that there was no fire and that there were no injuries. The name of the uninjured truck driver was not released.

According to KomoNews, after the accident, all lanes of the freeway were closed near 54^th Street to Portland Avenue. Drivers were diverted off the highway towards state Route 512.

WSDOT reported that the highway was closed in both directions at milepost 135.

ICYMI: I-5 in Tacoma is CLOSED until further notice. Know before you go – keep track of backups here: https://t.co/5gRSi0Kpey

— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) August 18, 2016

Traffic was backed-up for miles.

A fuel pump tank arrived at the scene to empty the leftover fuel from the flipped taker. Traffic backups from the I-5 closure are expected to continue until the scene is cleared.

Update (1:52 p.m.):

Interstate 5 has reopened in both directions, however traffic congestion is still severe. Alternate routes are recommended.

SB I-5 #FEDERALWAY CRASH UPDATE: All lanes & SR 18 ramp back open. 3.5-mile backup now extends past S 320th. pic.twitter.com/uS0JsrLYoO

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) August 18, 2016