Woman killed in Tesla crash in Tacoma identified by Pierce County medical examiner
A 52-year-old woman who died earlier this month in Tacoma when the Tesla she was a passenger in crashed into a traffic signal pole was identified Wednesday by the Pierce County medical examiner.
Wendy Dennis died Jan. 7 of multiple blunt force injuries, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office said in a news release. The car she was in crashed that afternoon in South Tacoma at South 56th and South Washington streets and caught fire, killing Dennis and causing life-threatening injuries to the driver.
Police spokesperson Wendy Haddow said Thursday that the driver was alive but still in critical condition from his injuries.
Speed was suspected to have been a factor in the crash. Haddow said the driver was going west on 56th Street, and multiple witnesses reported seeing him driving at a high rate of speed in oncoming traffic to pass other vehicles before he crashed. Witnesses estimated he was going 50-60 mph.
It’s unclear whether charges will be filed against the driver. Haddow said the man didn’t show signs that alcohol or drugs were involved when it occurred, but she said a charging decision likely wouldn’t be made until the results of toxicology testing return.
This story was originally published January 19, 2023 at 9:10 AM with the headline "Woman killed in Tesla crash in Tacoma identified by Pierce County medical examiner."
