



LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- Three people were killed in a crash early Thursday morning on southbound Interstate 5 in Lakewood.



Washington State Patrol troopers said they arrested a 23-year-old man for driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and three counts of vehicular homicide. The man also had no driver's license, was in possession of a stolen firearm and marijuana, with an intent to deliver the drugs.



The 23-year-old man was not injured in the crash and booked into the Pierce County Jail.









WSP said a Nissan Maxima traveling on southbound I-5 crossed four lanes and hit a Honda CRV traveling in the far left lane. The impact caused the Honda to hit a plastic barrier, and pillars at the New York Avenue overpass.



The Honda then flipped over several times losing its engine in the process.



All three people inside the Honda died. They were 30, 44 and 51 years old. At this time, authorities have not released their identity.



Investigators say an off-duty Seattle Police Department dispatcher saw the crash and gave detailed information about where the Nissan fled.



The crash closed all southbound lanes near Bridgeport Way and part of the northbound lanes in that area around 2:15 a.m.



As of 7:30 a.m., all lanes in both directions had reopened, but backups of up to 12 miles remained.









No further details about the crash investigation were immediately released.