Overnight crashes leave 2 dead, 3 arrested for DUI in Tacoma

Three suspected DUI car crashes in the Tacoma area Saturday night 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 Canyon Road East, heading westbound.

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

Constable Dattilo shared the circumstances of the accident, saying, “This collision occurred due to a wrong-way driver hitting another vehicle head-on. The two deceased victims are both from the victim’s vehicle. The driver at fault is under arrest for two counts of DUI vehicular manslaughter.”

According to police, 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, 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.

SR 512 accident, June 2, 2024. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

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

Photo: NB I-5 at 56th car crash, June 2, 2024.

NB I-5 at the 56th car crash, June 2, 2024. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

According to the Dattilo police, this collision was caused by a wrong-way driver who hit another car head-on. A passenger in the victim’s car suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. The driver who caused the accident was arrested for road rage.

Around 7 am, the military cleared the road and reopened the highway.

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

Soldiers and @TacomaFire i’m spot on with blocking NB I705 collisions from SB I5. The road is completely blocked. pic.twitter.com/jd0eR0Y3Gi

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

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

According to police, a wrong-way car hit a small SUV head-on, and the driver was arrested for driving under the influence. After the initial crash, another northbound car pulled into the scene and hit one of the people in the first crash victim’s car. That occupant was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive.