Fatal motorcycle collision closes all of southbound state Route 7 Thursday afternoon
A motorcycle crash in the Spanaway area is blocking traffic on the southbound state Route 7 Thursday afternoon, according to Washington State Patrol spokesperson John Dattilo.
The motorcyclist did not survive the collision at the intersection of 182nd Street South and SR 7, according to Dattilo. Washington State Patrol is investigating.
Dattilo told The News Tribune via phone at about 4 p.m. that northbound state Route 7 remains open, but the southbound lanes are closed.
The Washington State Department of Transportation posted on X just before 4 p.m. that crews are en route to set up a detour on southbound state Route 7, approaching the Roy Y near 184th Street South. The post says to expect a lengthy closure, use alternate routes and check the department’s map for updates.
Dattilo said in a second phone call at around 4:30 p.m. that the motorcyclist was traveling in the center turn lane of the road and struck a concrete island at a crossing for pedestrians just north of the Roy Y. There were no other vehicles involved, and traffic is currently being diverted at 176th Street, he said.
The motorcyclist was later identified as a 68-year-old man from Eatonville, according to a Washington State Patrol press memo at 7:40 p.m. He was traveling south on state Route 7 toward 184th Street South and passing traffic using the center turn lane when when he struck the concrete median, coming to rest in the southbound lanes. The road was partially blocked for three hours and 20 minutes, the memo said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with more information about the motorcyclist and the collision from the Washington State Patrol.
This story was originally published February 27, 2025 at 4:34 PM.
