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Southbound traffic clogged on major roadways outside Tacoma due to collision on I-5

A traffic collision Monday afternoon on southbound Interstate 5 in Fife caused miles of delays on the freeway, according to transportation officials, and it slowed motorists on state Route 167.

The wreck was reported just before 1 p.m. at the Fife curve near 70th Avenue East, the Washington State Department of Transportation said on Twitter. Three left lanes were eventually blocked while emergency responders were on the scene.

A van and a semi-truck were involved in the collision, and the drivers of both vehicles were uninjured, Washington State Patrol Trooper Robert Reyer said. He said the van cut off the semi-truck. The truck was unable to stop, and it hit the van, causing it to roll.

Reyer said troopers determined the van driver caused the wreck, and the driver received an infraction for negligent driving. He said the semi-truck driver also received an infraction because they made no attempt to back off.

Traffic was stop-and-go on the interstate for four miles north of the incident at about 1:30 p.m., according to WSDOT, and the backups eventually reached state Route 18.