One man was headed to the hospital to pick up his girlfriend and newborn baby. The other was going home after running errands.
Both men were killed Monday when their vehicles collided head-on on River Road.
Washington State Patrol troopers on Tuesday were continuing to investigate why the SUV driven by Jerry Neal, 28, of Bonney Lake crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the car driven by Gregory Stevens, 30, of Puyallup.
“At this point, we really don’t know,” trooper Guy Gill said, adding investigators might never determine what happened.
Family members told troopers that Neal, a new father, was going to Tacoma General Hospital to pick up his girlfriend and baby.
Just after 4 p.m. a witness saw Neal’s southbound Kia Sorento swerve to the left and cross the double center turn lane of River Road near 30th Avenue East, Gill said. The Sorento crashed head-on into Stevens’ northbound Dodge Neon as he headed home after running some errands.
Both men died at the scene.
Gill said there were no reports of the Sorento driving erratically right before the crash. Investigators found no signs that Neal tried to brake, slow or swerve out of the way before hitting Stevens’ car.
Investigators found no obvious signs of distracted driving, Gill said.
“Nothing stood out,” he said.
Gill said toxicology tests will reveal whether drugs or alcohol played a factor in the crash.
“It’s a tragedy,” Gill said.
Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268
stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/crime
