A pedestrian was killed Monday evening after being hit by a vehicle on South Tacoma Way, according to Tacoma police. Officers and medics responded at about 5:28 p.m. to the 400 block of South Tacoma Way, where first responders found the pedestrian dead at the scene. Police said the driver stayed at the location and was not arrested.
What Police Told Reporters
According to The News Tribune, Tacoma Police Department spokesperson Shelbie Boyd said in an email that the motorist struck the pedestrian and remained on scene. The paper reported that officers had not released the victim's name and did not immediately provide additional details.
Where It Happened
The crash took place along a busy stretch of South Tacoma Way, a major arterial that serves both local traffic and freight. The City of Tacoma identifies arterials like this one in its Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks proposal for safety upgrades such as traffic calming and sidewalk improvements.
Statewide Safety Trend
Pedestrian deaths have remained high across Washington in recent years. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported 160 pedestrian fatalities in 2023 and similarly elevated totals in 2024 and 2025. Officials say persistent factors in fatal crashes include driver impairment, speeding and distraction, which authorities cite as priorities for prevention work.
Tacoma police did not immediately release further information about the crash or the identity of the victim, The News Tribune reported. Investigators typically release more details after notifying next of kin and completing preliminary reports.
