A two-vehicle collision on Interstate 5 resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries early Saturday morning, leading to the arrest of a driver on suspicion of driving under the influence. The subsequent freeway closure for investigation led to a second crash involving a Washington State Department of Transportation vehicle, injuring a road worker. Emergency services also responded to a separate car fire on the Sunset Highway during a busy morning for regional authorities.
Key Takeaways
- A fatal two-car crash occurred on I-5 southbound near milepost 11 at approximately 4:52 a.m.
- One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and several others sustained injuries.
- The driver allegedly responsible was arrested for DUI, vehicular homicide, and vehicular assault.
- A secondary crash occurred at 7:14 a.m. when a Rivian struck a WSDOT truck, injuring a worker.
- I-5 southbound was closed for over six hours, reopening around 11:00 a.m.
Fatal Collision Shuts Down Interstate 5
A severe two-car collision occurred on Saturday, July 5, at approximately 4:52 a.m. on the southbound lanes of Interstate 5. The incident took place near milepost 11, a critical transportation corridor in the region. Authorities confirmed that the crash resulted in the death of one individual.
In addition to the fatality, multiple other people involved in the collision sustained injuries. First responders from several agencies were dispatched to the scene to provide medical assistance. The conditions of the injured parties have not been publicly detailed, pending notification of their families.
Extended Freeway Closure
Interstate 5 is a major north-south artery on the West Coast of the United States. A complete shutdown, especially for a prolonged period, can cause significant traffic delays and disruptions across an entire metropolitan area, affecting commuters and commercial transport alike.
Immediately following the crash, law enforcement officials made the decision to completely shut down the southbound lanes of the freeway. This measure was necessary to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and to preserve the integrity of the crash scene for a thorough investigation.
Investigation Leads to DUI Arrest
Traffic was diverted off the interstate while investigators worked to piece together the events that led to the deadly collision. The on-scene investigation is a meticulous process that involves documenting evidence, taking measurements, and interviewing witnesses to determine the cause of the crash.
Authorities have confirmed that the driver believed to be responsible for the collision was taken into custody. The individual was arrested on suspicion of several serious charges, including driving under the influence (DUI), vehicular homicide, and vehicular assault. These charges indicate that investigators suspect impairment was a primary factor in the incident.
"More information will be released as the investigation progresses," officials stated, emphasizing that the case remains active.
The freeway remained closed for more than six hours, finally reopening to traffic at approximately 11:00 a.m. The extended closure allowed for the comprehensive investigation and the safe removal of the vehicles and debris from the roadway.
Secondary Crash Injures Road Worker
While the investigation into the fatal crash was underway, a second, separate incident occurred within the traffic management zone. At 7:14 a.m., a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) truck that was assisting with traffic control was struck from behind.
The collision involved a male driver operating a Rivian vehicle. The impact occurred as the WSDOT crew was working to manage the flow of diverted traffic and secure the closed-off area. This incident highlights the significant risks that roadside workers face, particularly during emergency situations on major highways.
Risk to Roadside Workers
According to the Federal Highway Administration, work zone crashes cause dozens of fatalities among road workers each year. The presence of emergency lights, cones, and signage often requires drivers to slow down and remain highly alert, but secondary accidents are a common and dangerous occurrence.
The WSDOT employee involved in the crash was transported to a local hospital. Fortunately, officials reported that the worker's injuries were non-life-threatening. The circumstances surrounding this secondary collision are also under investigation.
Separate Incident on Sunset Highway
In what was a demanding morning for local emergency services, another vehicle-related incident was reported in a different part of the city. Portland Fire and American Medical Response (AMR) were dispatched to the scene of a car fire on the Sunset Highway.
The fire occurred near the Oregon Zoo exit. Portland Fire officials confirmed that one person was transported to a hospital as a result of this incident. The condition of this individual has not been released.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced that the westbound exit to the Oregon Zoo was closed to allow emergency crews to work safely. This incident, while separate from the events on I-5, added to the overall traffic disruption in the Portland area on Saturday morning.
