Early-morning collision on I-5 in Fife blocked southbound traffic, left 1 dead
A pedestrian was struck and killed in traffic early Monday morning on Interstate 5 in Fife, according to the Washington State Patrol. The incident blocked all southbound lanes for several hours.
Troopers said a man who was reportedly carrying a pink stuffed animal was in traffic lanes near 54th Avenue East when he was hit by several passing vehicles at about 2:40 a.m. It’s not clear how the man ended up on the interstate. Trooper Robert Reyer said it’s early in the investigation, but the man might have walked into traffic or fallen from the overpass.
Traffic was flowing again shortly after 7 a.m. Drivers had previously been diverted off the interstate to 54th Avenue East while troopers and transportation officials were on the scene. Motorists going north might have also run into backups.
The man killed has not been publicly identified. Reyer said one driver who struck him stopped, but investigators believe there were more. He asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the State Patrol by calling 911.
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 8:08 AM.
