Tacoma, WA (May 11, 2026) – A wrong-way crash on southbound Interstate 5 near S 84th Street in Tacoma left four people hurt on Sunday, May 11, around 8 a.m. Three of the four were seriously injured.
A 24-year-old driver from Texas was allegedly traveling northbound in the southbound lanes when the collision occurred. Two cars were involved in the crash. The victims were both from Renton, and one of those hurt was a 14-year-old.
The wrong-way driver was also injured in the crash and is among the four people reported hurt. He was arrested at the scene for DUI and vehicular assault. Additional charges may follow, according to officials.
Southbound I-5 was closed for several hours while emergency units investigated and cleared the scene. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.
How Do Wrong-Way Crashes Happen on Washington State Highways?
Wrong-way crashes on highways like I-5 in Washington are among the most dangerous accident types because they involve head-on collisions at high speeds. They most often happen in the early morning hours or late at night, and impairment is a factor in a significant portion of these incidents. When a driver enters a highway going the wrong direction, other drivers have very little time to react.
Washington State has taken steps in recent years to address wrong-way driving, including improved signage and detection systems at freeway on-ramps. Despite these efforts, crashes of this type still occur with serious consequences, particularly when alcohol or drugs are involved. The combination of highway speeds and a head-on impact dramatically increases the risk of severe injury for everyone in both vehicles.
