Local
Federal Way I-5 crash damages WSP SUV; driver arrested on suspicion of DUI
A car struck a Washington State Patrol SUV as a trooper directed traffic around an earlier crash on northbound I-5 near South 272nd Street. The trooper was outside the vehicle and was not injured; the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI and treated for minor injuries.
A driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Thursday after a car hit a Washington State Patrol SUV on northbound Interstate 5 in Federal Way, according to the patrol.
The collision happened around 2 a.m. near South 272nd Street, where a trooper was directing traffic around a separate crash in the HOV lane. The patrol SUV’s emergency lights were on, but the car traveling in the HOV lane did not move over and struck the vehicle, WSP said.
The trooper was outside the SUV and was not hurt. The patrol vehicle sustained extensive damage and had to be towed from the scene. The driver of the car suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital after being arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Washington law requires drivers to move over when approaching emergency or roadside service vehicles with flashing lights, or slow down if they cannot safely change lanes.