Driver killed in high-speed collision in Northeast Tacoma ID’d by medical examiner
A man who died earlier this month when he lost control of his car while driving at a high speed in Northeast Tacoma and collided with another vehicle has been identified by the medical examiner.
Dierre Marshall-Pernell of Tacoma died Feb. 12 of blunt trauma, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office said in a news release. According to police, Marshall-Pernell was driving north on state Route 509 that morning in a Nissan Maxima when he crossed the center line and struck a Mazda SUV going the other direction.
The incident was reported at about 9:25 a.m. near 1690 Marine View Drive, according to Tacoma Police Department. Marshall-Pernell, 25, was the only person in his vehicle and was declared dead at the scene.
A 33-year-old woman was in the car he struck. Police said she was taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries sustained from her seat belt.
An investigation isn’t yet complete, but police spokesperson Wendy Haddow said Tuesday that speeding is suspected to be the cause of the wreck. She said investigators are working to obtain a search warrant for the Nissan, and they don’t yet have an estimate for how fast Marshall-Pernell was driving.
A witness reported seeing the man blow through a stop sign at a high speed before the wreck, police previously said. The Nissan was reportedly torn in two when it came to a stop.
This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 7:43 AM.
