Collision kills 19-year-old female on River Road

One person was killed and three injured, including a Buckley and Bonney Lake man, Thursday on River Road between Puyallup and Tacoma.

The three-vehicle accident occurred about 5:07 a.m. when a 1987 Mercedes sedan driven by 19-year-old Amanda Young of Tacoma crossed the center line and collided with a 1992 Nissan coupe driven by a Buckley resident, according to Washington State Patrol.

The driver of the Nissan, described as a man 25 to 30 years old, was taken to Tacoma General Hospital in critical, but stable condition.

The Mercedes then struck a 2004 Pontiac sedan drivien by Jacob Jones, 26, of Bonney Lake. Jones was injured and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.

The WSP reported the Tacoma woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 14-year-old female passenger suffered minor injuries. She was taken to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital for treatment.

Troopers reported the Mercedes fishtailed into the southbound lanes and the Nissan crashed into the side of the Mercedes.

The force of the crash tore the Mercedes in half. The front half of the car ended up near the highway’s guardrail, while the rear half spun into the Puyallup River.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Dive Team responded to the scene to find the rear of the Mercedes with the help of a sonar device and underwater camera.

The crash blocked the southbound lanes for several hours and motorists were redirected to the northbound lanes. Both lanes opened at noon.

Alchohol is suspected to have been a factor in the crash, the WSP reported.

Aside from the deceased, the WSP did not immediately release names of the people involved.

Reach Dannie Oliveaux at doliveaux@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.