Diesel Spill Shuts Down I-5 After Semi Crash

Northbound lanes blocked for hours as crews cleaned up 100-gallon fuel leak

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:04pm

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A semi-truck crashed into a barrier on I-5 near Steilacoom-DuPont Road in Washington early Wednesday morning, spilling up to 100 gallons of diesel fuel across the highway. The crash caused major traffic delays as crews worked to clean up the slick fuel spill in the dark and foggy conditions.

Why it matters

Semi-truck crashes involving fuel spills can create extremely hazardous conditions on highways, requiring extensive cleanup efforts and causing major traffic disruptions. This incident highlights the risks posed by commercial vehicles transporting large quantities of flammable liquids through active construction zones.

The details

According to the Washington State Patrol, the semi-truck from Oak Harbor Freight Lines crashed into a barrier around 3:18 a.m., with the front cab of the truck completely destroyed and the front axle lying separately on the pavement. Troopers reported that up to 100 gallons of diesel fuel spilled across the northbound lanes, creating slick conditions that forced cars to 'skate' through the area.

  • The crash occurred around 3:18 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • Crews worked through the early morning hours to clean up the diesel spill.

The players

Washington State Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the semi-truck crash.

Oak Harbor Freight Lines

The trucking company that owned the semi-truck involved in the crash.

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The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of strict safety protocols and emergency response procedures for commercial vehicles transporting hazardous materials, as well as the need for robust infrastructure and traffic management plans in active construction zones to mitigate the risks of such accidents.