Woman killed in Tacoma wreck was longtime Franciscan employee

A woman who died Friday in a Tacoma crash was on her way to work as the regional director of operations for Franciscan Medical Group, the company said Monday.

Debra Adams, 59, worked for CHI Franciscan for more than 21 years, according to a company statement.

She oversaw more than 25 primary care and specialty clinics in the regional director role, which she started in 2008.

“Debra was a champion of innovative ideas, a strategic planner and dedicated to improving our patients’ experiences in our hospitals and clinics,” the company statement said.

“The CHI Franciscan family is saddened by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague and our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, Al, her daughters and extended family.”

The crash happened about 7 a.m. at South 19th and M streets, when Adams’ car crossed the centerline of 19th Street and hit an oncoming pickup, police said.

Investigators haven’t determined what caused the car to cross the centerline.

Adams died from multiple traumatic injuries, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office said. The truck driver was not seriously injured, police said.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Woman killed in Tacoma wreck was longtime Franciscan employee."