Crash at busy Tacoma intersection leaves 1 person dead, 1 arrested and highways closed

Craig Sailor
·1 min read

UPDATE 6:44 p.m.: All traffic lanes are now open, according to the Washington State Patrol.

A vehicle struck a barrier on state Route 509 at the entrance to Interstate 705 in downtown Tacoma on Wednesday afternoon killing a person in the car, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The crash occurred about 1:20 p.m. just after the speeding southbound vehicle crossed the cable-stayed bridge on Route 509 and tried to get on northbound 705, according to the WSP.

Instead, the vehicle hit a curb 6:44 and then struck a barrier.

The female passenger died at the scene and the male driver has been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, according to WSP spokesperson Trooper Robert Reyer. Charges of vehicular homicide likely will be forwarded to the Pierce County Prosecutor, Reyer said.

As of 2 p.m., the following roads were closed:

▪ Southbound Route 509 at I-705 (right two lanes).

▪ Southbound Route 509 to northbound I-705.

▪ Southbound Route 509 to northbound Route 509.