Tacoma man killed in three-vehicle crash on SR 167 near SR 18

A 33-year-old Tacoma man died early Friday, Oct. 30, after his car struck a barrier on southbound SR 167 in Auburn and he was subsequently hit by two vehicles, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The collision, reported early Friday at about 1:39 a.m. on SR 167 just north of SR 18 (map below), also injured a 44-year-old Roy man and blocked the roadway for approximately five hours and 16 minutes, troopers said.

The State Patrol listed DUI as the cause and identified vehicular homicide, hit-and-run and DUI offenses for the Roy man, who was driving a Tesla.

According to troopers, the Tacoma man was driving a 2007 Scion when he lost control, struck the left concrete barrier and stopped in the second lane from the left. Investigators believe he then got out of the car.

The Tesla struck both the Scion and its driver, the State Patrol said. The Tacoma man landed near the dividing line between the second and third lanes and was then struck by a Toyota Tacoma pickup.

Sadly, he died at the scene, and troopers notified his next of kin, according to the report.

The Roy man was taken to Valley Medical Center. The pickup’s driver, a 48-year-old Graham man, was not injured, troopers said.

The Tesla stopped on the left shoulder, the Scion ended up in a ditch on the right, and the pickup stopped on the right shoulder. The State Patrol reported that both the Tesla and Scion were totaled.

An earlier Washington State Department of Transportation notice said all southbound lanes were blocked near milepost 15 and urged drivers to expect delays and take alternate routes. The State Patrol’s subsequent report provided the closure’s duration.

### How the incident unfolded

According to the State Patrol:

• A Scion traveling south on SR 167 just north of SR 18 lost control and struck the left concrete barrier.
• The car stopped in the second lane from the left. Its driver likely got out.
• A southbound Tesla struck the Scion and its driver.
• The driver landed near the line separating the second and third lanes and was also struck by a southbound Toyota Tacoma pickup.
• The Scion’s driver died at the scene. The Tesla’s driver was injured and taken to Valley Medical Center. The pickup’s driver was not injured.
• The roadway was blocked for approximately five hours and 16 minutes.