Alleged wrong-way driver charged in wreck that killed motorcyclist near Gig Harbor
A Federal Way woman has been charged with crashing into a motorcycle while intoxicated Saturday, killing the driver.
Mecca Kay Berkins, 54, was charged with one count of vehicular homicide for a crash that occurred on eastbound state Route 16 near Rosedale Street in Gig Harbor just after 1 a.m. Berkins is accused of driving on the wrong side of the highway at a high speed, striking a motorcyclist, according to the declaration for determination of probable cause.
A plea of not guilty was filed on Berkins’ behalf at her arraignment Monday afternoon at Pierce County Superior Court. A court commissioner set the bail at $500,000.
Charging documents say that a Washington State Patrol trooper was dispatched to a call of a wrong-way car traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. The car was facing the wrong way and had extensive damage on the front.
A previous News Tribune story reported the car was a 2014 Honda Civic.
The trooper approached a man, later said to be the victim’s boyfriend, who was screaming, “She’s dead.” The motorcyclist was seen lying on the left shoulder of the highway, prosecutors wrote.
The man said he and his girlfriend were driving their motorcycles to the casino when he saw a car that “had to be doing well over a 100 mph” traveling on the wrong side of the freeway. The witness said he dodged the car but it looked like it was “aiming” for his girlfriend, prosecutors wrote.
The trooper approached Berkins who was in her car. There was broken glass on her clothing and seat. The trooper allegedly could smell intoxicants coming from the car. Berkins denied drinking any alcohol, but the trooper noted that her eyes were bloodshot and her speech was slurred, prosecutors wrote.
Toxicology results are pending to determine Berkins’ level of impairment, charging documents say.
The motorcyclist from Shelton was pronounced dead shortly after the crash by emergency workers. Berkins was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. She was booked into Pierce County Jail later that morning.
Court records show that Berkins has a recent 2022 conviction from King County Superior Court for fourth degree assault. It was also noted that Berkins has an unconfirmed warrant from Austin, Texas.
