A fatal accident blocked multiple lanes on southbound Interstate 5 just north of Highway 518 near Tukwila causing traffic back-ups Wednesday morning. The accident happened at about 6 a.m. and it took three hours to finally open up all the lanes.

At 5:53 a.m. patrols responded to a three-car rollover collision blocking five of six southbound lanes of I-5 just north of the Interstate 405 and Highway 518 interchanges in King County.

The State Patrol reported that a 43-year-old Seattle was declared dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident the Patrol said.

The victim was driving a 1996 black Toyota Land Cruiser heading south on I-5. According to the investigation the initial crash was between a white Ford Crown Victoria, operated by Stita Taxi Co., and the Toyota Land Cruiser near, or on, the two exit lanes to Highway 518 and Southcenter Parkway.

After impact the Toyota Land Cruiser rolled over and landed on its roof onto the main lanes of southbound I-5 where it was hit by a 2000 black Toyota Camry.

A 36-year-old Renton man was driving the Ford Crown Victoria and a 26-year-old Seattle man was driving the Toyota Camry. Neither driver was injured in the accident. A 24-year Seattle man who was riding in the Toyota Camry was treated at the scene for minor injuries and released.

Five of the six southbound lanes of I-5 were closed for approximately 2 1/2 hours while troopers and detectives investigated the scene. Detectives are still investigating the cause of the initial impact between the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Ford Crown Victoria. The Patrol does not suspect that alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident.

Detectives are seeking any witnesses who observed the collision, or the events leading up to the it. Please call Detective Ruth Medeiros at 425-401-7719 if you have information.