Overnight crashes kill 2, 3 arrested for drunk driving in Tacoma

Three separate suspected drunk driving car crashes in the Tacoma area Saturday evening resulted in two deaths, three hospitalizations and three arrests.

The first crash was reported by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) at 2:16 a.m. on State Route (SR) 512 near westbound Canyon Road East.

According to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper John Dattilo, the road was closed for investigation after two people lost their lives.

Trooper Dattilo shared the circumstances of the accident, stating: “This collision occurred because a wrong-way driver collided head-on with another vehicle. The two deceased victims both came from the victim's vehicle. The responsible driver is in custody on two counts of vehicular homicide while driving while intoxicated.

According to the trooper, a third occupant of the victim's car was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and an infant, who was in the car that caused the crash, n was not injured. The Puyallup Police Department and WSDOT Tacoma assisted with road closures during the investigation and by 10 a.m. the road had reopened.

Minutes after the first crash was reported, WSDOT Tacoma posted a story about another collision on northbound Interstate 5 (I-5) near South 56th Street. Only three lanes were initially closed, but shortly after, all northbound lanes were blocked.

According to police officer Dattilo, this collision was caused by a wrong-way driver who collided head-on with another car. A passenger in the victim's car was seriously injured, but his life is not in danger. The driver who caused the accident was arrested for assault with a vehicle while intoxicated.

Around 7 a.m., police had cleared the road and reopened the highway.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., a crash on southbound I-5 near the Interstate 705 (I-705) interchange was reported, and crews from the Washington State Patrol and Tacoma Fire responded.

The soldiers and @TacomaFire are on site with blocking collisions NB I705 of SB I5. The roadway is completely blocked. pic.twitter.com/jd0eR0Y3Gi

– Private John Dattilo (@wspd1pio) June 2, 2024

Officer Datillo asked drivers to expect an extended closure as Tacoma police closed the road for investigation.

According to the officer, a car traveling in the wrong direction collided head-on with a small SUV and the driver was arrested for driving under the influence. After the initial crash, another car traveling northbound arrived on scene and struck one of the people in the first crash victim's car. The occupant was taken to hospital and is expected to survive.

Officers said the third car stopped and cooperated with the investigation. The road was reopened to travelers around 10 a.m.