Firefighters from East Pierce Fire and Rescue were forced to use the Jaws of Life to remove the occupants of a two-car, head-on crash that occurred yesterday around 4:30 p.m. at the 1800 block of East Valley Highway East. According to Acting Battalion Chief Eric McLeroy, two patients were transported to a local trauma center with life-threatening injuries. The third patient was transported to the hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Numerous units responded to the scene, including mutual aid from Central Pierce Fire and Rescue.

The road was blocked in both directions for nearly two hours. To help relieve some of the congestion during rescue operations, the Sumner Police Department diverted traffic through a nearby business parking lot. The cause of the crash is under investigation.