SEATTLE - I-5 was fully shut down for hours in the Kent area Sunday when a 45-car pileup caused a miles-long backup.
There were 18 tow trucks called in to help clear the crash sites on I-5 South just south of SR-516 in Kent on October 27.
By mid-afternoon, the backup was five miles long and growing. Road crews had to bring in sand to clean up oil and gas spills from the many cars involved.
FOX 13 reporter Dave Detling went to the scene to talk with drivers about what caused the crashes and how they were being helped as crews worked to clear the road. He says a few people were hospitalized, but none with life-threatening injuries.
Traffic authorities asked people to avoid driving in the area and take alternate routes as road crews work to clear the crash sites. Official detours were happening along the SR-516 off-ramp.
This I-5 backup came as a landslide in the Bellingham area caused miles-long backups on I-5 North on October 27 as well.
More information on incoming Western Washington weather conditions available on FOX 13.