A motorcyclist rammed a multi-vehicle vehicle at around 7 p.m. while fleeing a state soldier on Interstate 5 south near Kent. The Washington State Patrol said Sunday it forced the closure of all southbound lanes near South 288th Street.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson said the motorcyclist, who was driving recklessly, was killed. No other injuries or deaths were reported.
There was no estimation when the lanes leading to the south would be cleared. Johnson said the motorcyclist took off when the cop tried to pull over the driver, continued to drive recklessly and hit a tow truck on the side of the road.
"It was a motorcycle that took off from a soldier and we didn't follow," Johnson said. "From what I understand, the motorcycle was splitting traffic and collided with another vehicle."
A law that went into effect last year prohibits law enforcement from pursuing vehicles unless there is a probable reason that someone has committed or is committing a violent crime, among other restrictions.