Motorcycle crash on SR-167 in Auburn left Puyallup woman dead, state troopers say
A Puyallup woman died Thursday evening in a crash in Auburn when a driver traveling behind her hit the back of her motorcycle, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The wreck occurred on southbound state Route 167 near the state Route 18 interchange, the State Patrol said in a news release. Troopers identified the woman who was killed as 51-year-old Katheline Washburn.
Washburn was just north of the interchange at about 6:11 p.m. when she slowed for traffic, according to the release. Troopers said the man driving behind her in a Toyota Tacoma pickup, a 39-year-old Puyallup resident, didn’t show signs of slowing and struck the motorcyclist.
Troopers said the pickup driver tried to stop and veered into an adjacent lane where his vehicle came to a rest. The collision reportedly left the motorcyclist under the pickup. Washburn was wearing a helmet. Troopers said she was declared dead at the scene.
The pickup driver was uninjured. Troopers said the wreck was caused by speed, following too closely and driver inattention. Charges against the driver are pending. According to the release, troopers don’t believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision.
Southbound state Route 167 was partially closed for three-and-a-half-hours. Troopers said traffic got by in the HOV lane.
This story was originally published April 28, 2023 at 8:13 AM.
