Crime

Fiery crash kills 2 in Pierce County. Street racing might be to blame, authorities say

Two people are dead after a driver who was street racing collided with another car, causing both vehicles to burst into flames on Wednesday in Pierce County.

Pierce County deputies were dispatched just after midnight to Canyon Road East for a two-car crash where both vehicles burst into flames and were completely engulfed, according to the department in a news release.

Once firefighters put out the flames, they discovered that both drivers were deceased, the release said.

Canyon Road East and 160th Street was shut down for traffic investigators.

Investigators learned the victim’s vehicle was making a left turn to go south on Canyon Road East. The other car was driving at a high speed going north and ran the red light, striking the other vehicle, the release said.

Witnesses said they saw the northbound vehicle trying to race other cars further south on Canyon Road. A 911 caller said the vehicle was going 130 miles per hour, the release said.

Puneet Bsanti
The News Tribune
Puneet Bsanti is the East Pierce County Reporter for The News Tribune. She started with the newspaper in 2023 as the breaking news reporter. After she graduated from Washington State University, she was an intern for the Bellingham Herald. Her work in breaking news was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists in 2022. Support my work with a digital subscription
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