Separate fatal incidents on I-5 hamper evening Seattle commute

Incidents blocking multiple lanes of traffic in both directions of Interstate 5 near Seattle could delay the Friday evening commute, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The first incident occurred on I-5 southbound near the Spokane Street bridge.

According to trooper Rick Johnson, at around 12:40 p.m. a person jumped off the overpass onto the roadway, and was struck by a driver who then left the scene.

#WitnessesNeeded Just after 12:40PM this afternoon an individual jumped off the Spokane St. overpass onto SB I-5. A vehicle subsequently struck the individual and continued south. Please call @wastatepatrol if you have any info on this vehicle.
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) June 3, 2022

At around 2:30 p.m., crews cleared the scene and reopened the southbound lanes; however, the backup extends in north Seattle.

The second incident occurred on I-5 northbound on the express lanes near Mercer Street.

A serious injury collision blocked all but one lane. WSDOT later issued an update saying all entrances to the I-5 express lanes were closed.

All but one lane of the northbound I-5 express lanes are blocked at SR 520 in Seattle. The Seattle Fire Department is responding to a collision. Expect delays. pic.twitter.com/YLMUKM9oY4
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) June 3, 2022

#Seattle I-5 Express Lanes update: all express lanes entrances are now closed. https://t.co/xNoGWq2IXx
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) June 3, 2022

The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene, with reports of an individual trapped inside a vehicle.

Crews are responding to a collision on northbound I-5 express lanes to Roanoke. Reports of one patient trapped in vehicle. Use alternate routes if possible.
— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) June 3, 2022

NB I-5 express @ Roanoke: All patients have been extricated from the vehicle. Unfortunately, a female in her 40s has been pronounced deceased. A male in his 40s transported in stable condition to HMC. Delays on NB I-5 express lanes should be expected.
— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) June 3, 2022

By 5 p.m., the I-5 express lanes were reopened to traffic.