UPDATE: A rollover collision – with a driver being ejected – closed all lanes of northbound I-5 in SeaTac Thursday morning, Aug. 22, 2024, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).

All lanes of northbound I-5 at 188th Street were closed, and backups of 15 miles were reported. Neighboring streets and routes were also very crowded due to the collision.

Troopers said that just after 1 a.m. Thursday morning, WSP communications received 9-1-1 calls reporting a serious collision on northbound I-5 just south of S. 188th Street.

Once troopers arrived at the scene, they observed a Toyota Tacoma in the left ditch and discovered that the driver had been ejected.

A little further north of this vehicle there was a Kia Sportage that was upside down on its top in lane 3 with the driver out of the vehicle walking around.

It was determined that the Kia was traveling at an extremely high speed and struck the right rear of the Toyota causing it to roll.

The driver of the Toyota sustained facial injuries and was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition.

The driver of the Kia was exhibiting signs of impairment and was subsequently placed in custody for investigation of Vehicular Assault. The driver was identified as Edzon Enrique Gutierrez-Perez, 19-years-old.

“The WSP understands the frustration that roadway closures cause for drivers,” Troopers said. “The WSP will always do a thorough investigation as that is imperative for the victims and their families. The choices made by drivers that get behind the wheel impaired are one hundred percent preventable and sadly lead to road closures, injuries, and fatalities.”

WSP said that all lanes were re-opened at around 8 a.m.

WSP said the collision happen thusly:

  • Two vehicles were traveling northbound on I-5, just south of S. 188th Street in SeaTac.
  • Vehicle 2 was in lane 2 of 5 when the front left of vehicle 1 struck the rear right of vehicle 2.
  • Vehicle 1 rolled over and came to rest on its roof in lane 3 of 5.
  • Vehicle 2 also rolled but came to rest on its wheels in a ditch on the left shoulder.
  • The Driver of vehicle 1 was booked for Vehicular Assault due to suspected impairment..
  • The roadway was fully blocked for 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Video

Below is video provided by WSP showing the collision taking place:

YouTube player
Screenshot