Mystery of Pepsi machine left on I-5 gets even more baffling, Washington DOT says

Pepsi machines can now be added to the list of things to avoid on the interstate.

One was found this week on Interstate 5 in the Lakewood area south of Tacoma, Washington, and authorities have no idea where it came from — or where it went.

“Our crews find all kinds of interesting things on the highway, but this was a first,” the Washington State Department of Transportation reported Tuesday, July 12, on Facebook.

“When we came back around for it, it was gone. So someone either grabbed it or it got up and walked away, in which case we’d have an even bigger problem.”

A photo shows the vending machine was spotted up on the northbound shoulder of the interstate, and did not exhibit the kind of damage that would come from bouncing across travel lanes.

That raises questions about whether it was off purposely unloaded at the spot — or just pushed out of a truck.

“Any of the drinks inside were pretty shaken up,” the WSDOT said. “But in seriousness, this could’ve been really bad and done a lot of damage. So please be sure your loads are secured and tied down. ... Make securing your loads the choice of a new generation.”

The Facebook post has gotten more than 2,500 reactions and comments as of July 13, including some from peopled who listed stranger things they’d recently seen on the interstate, including a chest freezer and a boat. Others tried to imagine how they’d react to seeing it bouncing through traffic.

“How do you not know a vending machine fell off of your truck? And then ignore it!?” Alan Herring asked.

“It’s been said you could build and furnish a house with the stuff you find on these highways,” Bess Butler wrote.

“Let me know if you ever find an espresso machine! I’ll help you clean that mess up,” Rosemarie Hyde posted.

This story was originally published July 13, 2022 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Mystery of Pepsi machine left on I-5 gets even more baffling, Washington DOT says."