In a tragic early morning incident, a single-car crash claimed the lives of five individuals, including two young children, on a stretch of State Route 512 in Puyallup. The Seattle Times reports that the accident occurred near the South Hill Mall vicinity, when a 29-year-old woman from Sumner lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve.
At approximately 4:20 a.m., the 2017 silver Ford Flex veered off the road and collided with a column of the 31st Avenue Southwest overpass. Following the impact, the vehicle was engulfed in flames, leaving no survivors behind. As per reports from a KING5 article, two 11-year-old girls were among the deceased. The crash also ejected one occupant from the car, a stark testament to the collision's violence.
The identities of the victims have not been fully disclosed, awaiting official statements from the medical examiner's office. However, according to coverage by The Columbian, the two children were residents of Tacoma, while the driver hailed from Sumner. Additionally, the other two passengers, who's ages have not yet been released, included a male and a female, with reports indicating the latter was not restrained by a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Officials from Washington State Patrol have stated that weather conditions do not appear to have been a factor in the crash, as the road was described as clear and dry with good visibility. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are calling on witnesses or anyone with information regarding the deadly event to come forward. As the community reels from this loss, the Washington State Patrol's request underscores the quest for answers in the wake of an unthinkable tragedy.
