A 59-year-old Chehalis woman died early Wednesday morning, July 30, 2025 after her car struck a disabled towing rig on southbound I-5 near 272nd Street in Federal Way (map below), according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
Troopers said the crash occurred around 12:56 a.m., when a Ford tow truck towing a flatbed became disabled in lanes two and three of the five-lane freeway just north of the 272nd Street exit.
Sadly, a 59-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. WSP confirmed she had been wearing a seat belt. No other injuries were reported.
All southbound lanes of I-5 were blocked for about five hours for the investigation.
Here’s how the fatal crash unfolded:
- A southbound tow truck on I-5 near 272nd Street became disabled in lanes two and three while towing a flatbed truck.
- A car traveling southbound struck the rear of the towed flatbed vehicle around 12:56 a.m.
- The driver of the car that struck the tow truck died at the scene.
- The tow truck driver and passenger were not injured.
- Washington State Patrol reported that drugs or alcohol were not involved.
- Charges against the tow truck driver are pending.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but WSP said drugs or alcohol were not involved.

#BlockingCollision SB I-5 near S. 272nd. There is 1 fatality. A work truck was being towed and the tow broke down and was struck by another vehicle. It is believed that a couple other vehicles became involved trying to avoid the initial collision. Only HOV open.
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) July 30, 2025