By DEAN A. RADFORD

Reporter Newspapers

A 29-year-old man from the Bonney Lake area died in a fiery crash on southbound Interstate 405 at about 6:45 a.m. Friday that backed up traffic for miles through Renton during the morning commute.

The man was identified by the Washington State Patrol as Brian T. Berg. He died at the scene, according to Trooper Cliff Pratt.

The fatal accident right at Southcenter involved three trucks, including a King County semi-tractor trailer hauling garage, and a 2000 Acura sedan

According to Pratt, Berg was driving in and out of traffic on southbound I-405 in a company-owned 2007 Ford pickup. Pratt likened the driving to being late for work. Berg worked for a scaffolding company.

Already stopped in traffic was the county vehicle. Berg quickly crossed over lanes to immediately behind the county truck, coming to an abrupt halt, according to Pratt.

Another southbound truck, a white “box” truck, “had no place to go” and rammed into the back of the Ford pickup, according to Pratt.

The Ford pickup was pushed into the back of the fully loaded county transfer truck, which, according to the driver, was pushed forward about five feet, Pratt said.

The Ford’s bed was completely destroyed and the truck burst into flames, according to Pratt. The county truck was able to move away from the flames, but the truck that had rammed the Ford also caught fire, Pratt said.

“She pulled over and go away from the flames,” Pratt said of the county driver. “That was smart for her to do.”

A fourth vehicle, the Acura, crashed into the back of the box truck, according to Pratt.

No other injuries were reported.

A fire truck with the Tukwila Fire Department was able to “knock down the fire” but ran out of water. “They were expecting other trucks to show up,” Pratt said.

However, because of the ongoing construction on I-405, other fire trucks and emergency vehicles were not able to access the crash site quickly, Pratt said.

There are no shoulders on the freeway and there was “absolute gridlock,” Pratt said.

In essence, troopers and firefighters were “playing chess,” trying to get vehicles over to the side so that emergency vehicles could pass through, Pratt said.

Southbound I-405 was closed for several hours and traffic diverted to streets in downtown Renton or to State Route 167. Streets in the Southcenter area also were affected.

The backups on I-405 extended for nearly five miles before some lanes were reopened about 9 a.m. All lanes were reopened about noon.