Distracted I-5 driver arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide
May 10, 2021, 1:20 PM
A car struck and killed a person changing a tire on the right shoulder at North I-5 on the collector-divider section at S 38th Street. (Photo courtesy of Trooper Robert Reyer/Twitter)
(Photo courtesy of Trooper Robert Reyer/Twitter)
A driver who struck and killed a man changing a tire on I-5 in Tacoma on Monday morning has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide.
🚨 Car struck person changing tire on right shoulder at North I-5 on the collector-divider section at S 38th Street. Sadly, the person was pronounced deceased at the scene. @wastatepatrol Troopers, @wsdot_tacoma, and @TacomaFire at the scene. 2 right lanes blocked! #TrafficAlert pic.twitter.com/TntT6aJEf8
— Trooper Robert Reyer (@wspd1pio) May 10, 2021
Driver of the vehicle is under arrest for vehicular homicide. She admitted to being distracted by her cell phone when colliding with the person changing his tire #distracteddriving #collision #stayoffyourphones #StaySafe
— Trooper Robert Reyer (@wspd1pio) May 10, 2021
Trooper Robert Reyer says the driver admitted she was using her cell phone at the time of the crash. Reyer says distracted driving continues to be a problem despite tougher laws against it.
“Over 122 people lost their lives to distracted driving alone here in Washington last year, that’s 10 people a month,” Reyer said.
Safety officials warn of ‘hangover effect’ after texting while driving
Federal safety regulators say distracted driving caused more than 3,000 fatalities nationwide in 2019.
“People have this feeling of personal invulnerability, they think ‘I’ve been driving for a long time, I know what I’m doing, there’s nothing that can distract me or become dangerous,'” Reyer said. “It can happen very, very quickly.”
Reyer says if you ever have a flat tire and feel you’re in an unsafe spot, like on the freeway or highway, you can call 911 for help.
