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.