Detectives Seeking Information And Dash Cam Video In Fatality Investigation

King County, WA – Detectives from the Washington State Patrol are seeking information and Dash Cam video in reference to a fatality collision on State Route 18, near the Raging River in King County.

According to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol, around 4:47pm on December 13, 2017, the Washington State Patrol  responded to a report of a serious injury collision on SR 18 near the Raging River (MP 26).

When troopers arrived, two vehicles with heavy damage were partially blocking the westbound lanes.  The driver of one of the vehicles was deceased and the other had serious injuries.

Witnesses stated that a Ford Focus was traveling eastbound when it struck a drive line that was in the roadway causing it to slide broadside into the westbound lanes.  A Jeep Cherokee that was traveling westbound subsequently struck the passenger side of the Ford which sustained significant damage and resulted in the death of the Ford driver.

Based on the evidence from the scene and witnesses, detectives believe there is a strong possibility that the drive line was lost from a semi-tractor that was being towed using the “piggyback” method by another semi-tractor.

According to experts, it is common for a semi being towed in this manner to have one end of the drive line disconnected and secured to make the drive line inactive.  Evidence from the scene showed a straight patter of gouges up to a certain point at which time they veered from the westbound to the eastbound lanes where either it struck or was struck by the Ford Focus.

WSP detectives are seeking any information to include dash cam video including video from commercial motor vehicles traveling through this area between 4:15pm and 5:00pm on December 13, 2017.  This would be an integral part in identifying the vehicle that lost this driveline.

In addition, if any individual has come to realize  they lost this driveline, you are also requested to contact the WSP.  Please contact Detective Brody Ford at (425) 401-7742 or by email at brody.ford@wsp.wa.gov.