A Lake Tapps man was killed the evening of May 15, the result of a four-vehicle crash that left a state Route 167 off-ramp closed for nearly five hours.
Deceased at the scene was Scott J. Cricchio, 33.
According to a Washington State Patrol report, it was shortly before 7 p.m. and four vehicles were headed south on SR 167. All were in the same lane, exiting onto Ellingson Road. The driver of a 2017 Fiat stopped for a traffic light and, slowing behind him, were a Volkswagen Passat and the Chevrolet Sonic driven by Cricchio.
Following behind was a 2001 Freightliner; the semi, which was hauling a trailer, was driven by a Vancouver man. The WSP report details that the semi struck Cricchio’s car, which was pushed into both the Fiat and the Volkswagen.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a 26-year-old Kent woman, was injured and transported to Auburn General Hospital. The Fiat driver was not injured, nor was the driver of the Freightliner.
The State Patrol report cites the cause of the accident as “speed too fast for conditions.” Possible charges are pending, as the incident is under investigation.
TEEN INJURED IN CRASH NEAR SUMNER
A Bonney Lake teenager was injured during the early-morning hours of May 17, the result of a horrific, one-car accident near Sumner.
The 16-year-old was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma. Two others in the vehicle were injured as well; the 21-year-old driver was transported to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Puyallup and a 22-year-old passenger was taken to St. Joseph’s.
According to a report issued by the Washington State Patrol, it was about 1 a.m. when the three were westbound on state Route 410 in a 2016 Toyota Corolla. The driver attempted to enter northbound SR 167 but flew from the off-ramp; the vehicle crashed down and rolled multiple times before coming to rest in a ditch.
The WSP report notes the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and indicates drugs or alcohol could have contributed to the accident. As the incident was being investigated, the WSP report indicates potential charges include driving under the influence and vehicular assault.
