Woman dies after hit-and-run involving suspected DUI driver in Tacoma

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — A 67-year-old woman died early Thursday morning after a suspected drunk driver rear-ended a vehicle on Interstate 5 near downtown Tacoma, reports The Chronicle.

Authorities said the fatal collision occurred in the southbound lanes near Portland Avenue East at approximately 2:20 a.m.

A preliminary investigation shows a man was driving a Lexus southbound when a southbound Jeep Wrangler collided with the back of his car. The Lexus came to a stop in the middle of the lane while the Jeep fled the scene.

The victim, who was sitting in the back seat of the Lexus, was fatally injured in the crash. Washington State Patrol said she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities said the driver of the Lexus and a female occupant in the front passenger seat were taken to a local hospital for an evaluation.

WSP confirmed they were later able to trace and locate the suspect driver, a 25-year-old woman, after she had abandoned her Jeep Wrangler on the side of the interstate.

She was suspected of DUI and was booked into Pierce County Jail pending an investigation into vehicular homicide.

All southbound lanes were shut down for several hours during the emergency response but were reopened by 7:45 a.m.

[cta]