A Federal Way man was arrested on December 8, 2024, after a fatal crash on northbound Interstate 5 in Kent that resulted in one passenger's death and injuries to two others. Facing serious charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and DUI, the 32-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle around 5 a. m. , first hitting a concrete barrier before rolling over and colliding with another vehicle driven by a 36-year-old Spanaway man. Birsan Cruz Ramirez, a passenger in the Federal Way man's vehicle, died at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries.

Emergency responders transported the drivers and another passenger to local hospitals for treatment. The crash blocked the HOV lane for nearly five hours, underscoring the disruption caused by such incidents. Authorities indicated that drugs or alcohol were involved, raising serious concerns about impaired driving in the area. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against impaired driving on local roads and its impact on families and the community.