Semi driver suspected of DUI arrested after deadly I-5 crash in Tacoma

6 hurt, 1 killed in crash on I-5 in Tacoma

One person was killed and six were injured in a crash on I-5 in Tacoma.

Semi driver suspected of DUI arrested after deadly I-5 crash in Tacoma

A semi-truck driver suspected of driving under the influence was taken into custody after a deadly crash Friday morning on I-5 in Tacoma, troopers said.

TACOMA, Wash. - A semi-truck driver suspected of driving under the influence was taken into custody after a deadly crash Friday morning on I-5 in Tacoma, troopers said.

The crash happened at about 7:45 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-5 at 38th Street.

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Trooper Robert Reyer said five cars and two semi-trucks were involved in the crash.

Tacoma fire officials said crews are at the scene treating multiple patients.

Reyer said one person died and six other people were injured.

According to fire officials, one person was in critical condition, two people had serious injuries, one person was taken to the hospital as a precaution and two people were treated and released from the scene.

Troopers said the driver of one of the semi-trucks was arrested for DUI.

As of 8 a.m., all northbound lanes were fully blocked and drivers are urged to take alternate routes.

The lanes reopened around 3:30 p.m.

The investigation remains ongoing.

This is the second deadly crash involving a semi-truck, suspected of DUI in about a month.

On February 15th, investigators say a semi-truck crashed into a tow truck driver in Milton. The driver in that incident was also suspected of DUI.

According to WSDOT data, 2021 saw an increase in deadly truck crashes in Pierce County.

There was a total of ten deadly crashes that year. In comparison, there was one reported in 2020.