21-car pile up on I-5 northbound in Fife caused by debris in roadway

KING5.com • January 19, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

A 21-vehicle pileup occurred on northbound Interstate 5 in Fife, Washington, around 5 a.m., caused by a car part lost in an earlier collision near the Pierce-King county border.
The incident led to multiple lane closures and traffic backups extending for miles during the morning commute, with all lanes reopening near milepost 139.5 just before 9 a.m.
Only one person was hospitalized, and most collisions resulted from vehicles hitting debris, including flat tires and minor car-to-car impacts.
The debris was identified as a car part such as a muffler or bumper, which triggered the initial crash and subsequent pileup.
Authorities advised drivers to avoid the area or expect delays