The crash involving up to 45 vehicles blocks southbound I-5 between Kent and Federal Way

Southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Kent were closed for several hours Sunday afternoon after a multi-vehicle crash, according to the Washington State Patrol, the state Department of Transportation and local fire departments.

Officer Rick Johnson said via social media around 1:40 p.m. that the southbound lanes were “completely closed” for the time being.

He said the accident involved 45 vehicles, although there were no serious injuries.

The accident occurred between the Kent/Des Moines area and Federal Way. According to WSDOT, the traffic jams lasted for miles.

“Traffic will be diverted onto State Route 516,” Johnson said. “Tow trucks are on the way and I hope to clear some lanes as quickly as possible.”

Trooper Johnson asked drivers to slow down.

“These collisions were caused by drivers speeding, not by road or weather conditions,” he said.

WSDOT also alerted motorists and local fire departments to the accident.

Puget Sound Fire said they, South King Fire & Rescue, King County Medic One and WSP were on scene.

South King Fire officials initially estimated that up to 30 vehicles were involved in the accident.

The southbound lanes reopened around 4:40 p.m., Trooper Johnson said.