Adhesive Spill Keeps Commuters Glued to I-5 During Morning Commute Near Federal Way

Talk about a sticky situation!

Commuters near Federal Way (between Seattle and Tacoma) this morning were still dealing with delays caused by "gook" after last night's collision between a mini-van and a semi-truck carrying thousands of gallons of resin adhesive.

The Washington State Department of Transportation reports around 7 p.m. last evening a semi-truck hauling two trailers loaded with the glue slammed into a disabled mini-van parked alongside the freeway near the interchange with State Route 18.

The State Patrol said a woman in the van was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. The wreck spread the glue over at least three of the four lanes, literally affecting vehicle travel. State troopers said the unknown adhesive was so sticky their patrol car tires had to be pressure washed before they could leave the scene!

WSDOT officials continue the cleanup; it is not known what chemicals -- if any -- will have to be used to scrub the glue off the freeway. As of Thursday mid-morning several of the lanes in the area were still closed off to traffic. Some reports indicate as much as 20,000 gallons of glue had been spilled onto I-5 during the wreck.

The glue was said to be non-toxic.