High-speed crash kills 2 people in Pierce County

PIERCE COUNTY - — Two people are dead following a high-speed crash in Pierce County overnight Wednesday.

It happened at the intersection of Canyon Road East and 160th Street, just after midnight. Witnesses reported seeing one of the drivers trying to race cars before the crash.

When he had no luck, witnesses say he reached speeds of 130 mph on Canyon Road E and collided with a driver turning left at the intersection.

“They could not find any brake marks from that speeding vehicle, which means that he went through the intersection without applying the brakes at all and hit the victim driver with all the speed that he had,” said Sgt. Darren Moss.

Bodycam video from Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies show both vehicles fully engulfed in flames.

“Firefighters were not able to put out those flames right away. And unfortunately, Both drivers of those vehicles passed away at the scene,” Moss explained.

Sadly, speeding on Canyon Road E did not come as a shock to residents in the area.

“I mean every single day I get passed by somebody. They’re going way fast way over the speed limit easily 60+ mph,” said driver Josh Davidson.

Davidson, like so many others, say Canyon Road can be very dangerous.

“Every time I turn onto Canyon from no matter where I’m at on Canyon, I always like double check because every like once everybody starts gone it’s like full on speed,” said driver Devon Tremper.

In addition to slowing down, Davidson believes at-fault drivers need to be better disciplined.

Residents have mentioned the need for more patrols on Canyon Road E, but Moss says a rise in violent crimes and short staffing make it tough to have traffic enforcement there 24/7.

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