Car catches fire in DUI crash, construction worker critically injured
May 13, 2025, 10:41 AM
A 21-year-old woman was arrested in Spanaway early Monday morning after a fiery crash (Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)
(Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)
A 21-year-old woman was arrested in Spanaway early Monday morning after a fiery crash in a construction zone seriously injured a worker. The crash shut down both directions of State Route 7 (SR 7) near 188th Street.
Law enforcement reported that the woman may have been intoxicated at the time of the crash. She was taken to a nearby hospital, and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper John Dattilo said the crash happened around 1:30 a.m. when the woman’s car slammed into a traffic control trailer and a dump truck. The force of the impact sent the trailer catapulting forward, striking a nearby construction worker. The injured worker is in serious condition, as of this reporting.
“A car was traveling southbound and struck a traffic control trailer, a sign flew through the air and struck a construction worker who was on-site working,” Dattilo said. “The vehicle then continued and then struck a trailer that was attached to a dump truck and immediately burst into flames. Some good Samaritans on scene were able to pull the driver from the vehicle before it was fully engulfed.”
Troopers, @wsdot_tacoma, and @CentralPierce are on scene with a car vs construction zone serious injury collision on SR 7 at 188th. Both directions of SR 7 are blocked. pic.twitter.com/4i8tTVnWK2
— Trooper John Dattilo (@wspd1pio) May 13, 2025
Woman arrested after fiery crash injures worker
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Immediately after the crash, the car caught fire. Witnesses rushed to help and pulled the driver from the burning vehicle before she was taken to a local hospital. Her condition has not been released.
Emergency crews from WSP, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and Central Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to the scene. The crash is still under investigation.
“Our road construction workers risk their lives for the safety and benefit of others, especially at night, when visibility is low,” Dattilo added. “They’re away from their families, working long overnight hours. Crashes like this are completely avoidable. Someone chose to drive under the influence, and that decision nearly cost a life. It’s unacceptable.”
