A 2020 Honda Civic traveling southbound slammed into the patrol vehicle and the impact pushed the patrol car into the disabled 2006 Acura TL.
Kent, WA – One person was killed and another arrested after a suspected DUI collision earlier this month in Kent.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash transpired in the early morning hours of Sunday, November 1, on Interstate 5 just north of State Route 516.
Initial reports indicate that a WSP trooper was stopped to help a stranded motorist along I-5 and the unmarked patrol vehicle had its emergency equipment activated.
A 2020 Honda Civic traveling southbound slammed into the patrol vehicle and the impact pushed the patrol car into the disabled 2006 Acura TL.
According to WSP, a passenger in the Honda was killed in the collision. He was identified as Sterling M. Smith, 27, of Atlanta, Georgia.
The driver of the Honda, Aiden V. Watson, 21, of Joint Base Lewis McChord, and a second passenger, Tyler C. Clark, 21, of Lacey, were both transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with unspecified injuries.
The WSP trooper was reportedly standing outside the patrol vehicle when the accident occurred.
Two teens in the Acura were not injured.
According to investigators, impairment was suspected to have factored in the collision.
Watson was charged with vehicular assault and DUI following the incident.
The crash led to the closure of the southbound I-5 lane for over three hours as authorities investigated and cleared the scene.
The incident remains under investigation.