A teenage driver was arrested after a westbound crash on State Route 16 in Tacoma on Tuesday night that left one passenger injured and briefly set a car on fire. The collision shut down lanes and sent at least one person to Tacoma General Hospital while emergency crews worked the scene.
How the Crash Unfolded
According to a Washington State Patrol release, the underage driver was speeding westbound on SR-16 and failed to negotiate the curve at the South Orchard Street exit. The car went through a grassy median before slamming into a barrier on the right shoulder. Troopers arrested the juvenile on suspicion of vehicular assault and driving under the influence, as reported by KIRO 7.
What 'Vehicular Assault' Means
Under Washington law, vehicular assault applies when a driver causes substantial bodily harm while operating a vehicle recklessly or while intoxicated. It is classified as a class B felony, which is not a minor charge. A conviction can mean prison time and the loss of driving privileges. The Department of Licensing notes that such convictions typically trigger at least a one-year license revocation and can come with ignition-interlock requirements. For the legal fine print, see RCW 46.61.522 and guidance from the Washington Department of Licensing.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Two people were in the vehicle when it struck the barrier. One passenger, another boy, was injured and taken to Tacoma General Hospital along with the driver, while a 19-year-old Tacoma man in the car was not hurt. After impact, the vehicle caught fire and was extinguished by the Tacoma Fire Department. Westbound SR-16 was blocked for almost four hours as crews handled the crash and cleared the scene, according to the State Patrol release and reporting by KIRO 7.
SR 16 Crash History and Local Impact
SR-16 through Tacoma has seen several serious collisions in recent months and years, with earlier crashes shutting ramps for hours and prompting lengthy investigations. Local coverage has repeatedly highlighted a pattern of major wrecks along the corridor and the operational response from the State Patrol and WSDOT. In February, for example, a pileup closed an SR-16 exit for about four hours, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
State troopers say the investigation into Tuesday night’s crash is ongoing. The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will review the case for any formal charges, and officials are asking anyone with information about the wreck to contact the Washington State Patrol as the probe continues.
