Pedestrian killed in wrong-way crash in southeast Pierce County has been identified
A 51-year-old Elbe man died Saturday evening in southeast Pierce County after he was struck by a wrong-way driver from Covington, according to the Washington State Patrol.
James J. Peoples, who was identified by the State Patrol, died at the scene. The 40-year-old Covington man was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.
About 6:40 p.m. Saturday, the Covington man was headed east on state Route 706 at Mount Tahoma Canyon Road in the town of Ashford.
Meanwhile, Peoples was crossing westbound SR 706, west of Mount Tahoma Canyon Road. Troopers say the Covington man drove into oncoming traffic and struck Peoples.
After the crash, the road was blocked for nearly five hours, according to the State Patrol.
This story was originally published January 30, 2022 at 10:58 AM.
