On Wednesday, a late-afternoon three-car crash near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Gig Harbor killed one person and sent two others to the hospital. The collision on State Route 302 near the SR‑16 interchange shut down part of SR‑302, causing heavy traffic delays and forcing drivers onto neighborhood streets. Authorities have not released the names of those involved.
What officials say
According to Washington State Patrol troopers, the wreck began when a driver attempting a left turn failed to yield and was hit by oncoming traffic. Troopers said one person died at the scene and two others were transported to nearby hospitals, but they have not released the victims’ identities or updated conditions. Those details were reported by KIRO 7.
Traffic impacts and detours
The crash shut down SR‑302 in both directions near Burnham Drive and blocked the SR‑16 exit, with no immediate estimate for reopening. The Washington State Department of Transportation told drivers headed from Gig Harbor to the Key Peninsula to instead use the westbound SR‑16 exit at Burley‑Olalla to reach SR‑302 and the Purdy Bay Bridge, as reported by Yahoo News. The investigation and cleanup stretched through the evening commute, backing traffic up onto Highway 16 and turning the usual rush-hour crawl into a full-blown slog.
Why this stretch snarls
The SR‑16 and Tacoma Narrows corridor is notorious for gridlock, and crashes here rarely stay "local." With only a handful of realistic ways on and off the peninsula, a serious collision can quickly flood side streets with cut-through traffic. Local reporting notes Highway 16 carries roughly 92,000 vehicles across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge each day, so even a single extended closure can paralyze the area for hours. Collision technicians and troopers are often required to complete a detailed on-scene investigation before any major towing or cleanup starts, which lengthens closures, according to Gig Harbor Now.
Investigation underway
State troopers are continuing to investigate the crash and have asked anyone with dashcam footage or eyewitness information to contact the Washington State Patrol. Officials have not said whether the driver who failed to yield survived the collision or if any charges are being considered. The initial report and video coverage from KIRO 7 offer the first public look at what happened and are expected to be updated as investigators release more details.
