Street racing driver causes fiery, deadly crash in WA

Name: Fiery, deadly Pierce County crash caused by BMW going 100+ mph
Uploaded: 2024-08-14T09:09:55-07:00
Description: Two people are dead after investigators say street racing is likely what led up to a devastating crash in Pierce County.

Fiery, deadly Pierce County crash caused by BMW going 100+ mph

Two people are dead after investigators say street racing is likely what led up to a devastating crash in Pierce County.

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - Two people are dead after a driver, who was reportedly street racing through Pierce County, ran a red light and crashed into another car, causing both vehicles to burst into flames early Wednesday.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department (PCSD), deputies responded to a fiery two-car collision on Canyon Rd. E near 160th St. in Frederickson, Washington, just after midnight.

"He was trying to get other vehicles to race him, and eventually just ended up taking off at a high rate of speed. One witness said he thought it was 130 miles per hour because it was just so fast," said Sgt. Darren Moss.

's Pierce County deputies at the scene of a deadly crash where both cars burst into flames. (Photo: Pierce County Sheriff's Department)

Deputies and firefighters arrived to find both cars completely engulfed in flames. After extinguishing the fires, they discovered that the drivers in each car were dead.

"He was just revving his engine over and over, and then as I accelerated, he stopped. He didn't move at all, and then accelerated, like, extreme high speed, and he went probably 130, 120 down. I seen him starting to lose control a little bit, and I was like something bad is going to happen," said Serina Lara-Schumsky.

Lara-Schumsky says a few moments later she drove up to the fiery crash.

"Seeing the SUV caught on fire, we didn't know who was in there. Seeing the BMW, we tried to help. There was no way we could help after the flames started going," she said. "It's heartbreaking, and it's scary for everyone else who thinks it's OK to speed and drive so fast because your life can instantly end just like that," she added.

Traffic investigators closed the intersection for hours while they worked on the crash. Pierce County officials tell us the crash caused the power to go out.

The PCSD reports that the victim in this crash was attempting to make a left turn to head south on Canyon Rd. E, while the suspect driver, traveling north at a high rate of speed, ran the red light and crashed into the victim's vehicle.

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Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison is determined to slam the brakes on street racing and street takeover events.

Moss said this is the third deadly crash on Canyon Road this year, and the ninth total for the county.

He tells FOX 13 Seattle speeding is what kills the most people on Pierce County roads.

"That’s not how it used to be. It used to be DUI was number one, and speed was on the bottom, and now it’s reversed," he said.

Moss said new laws give deputies an edge when going after dangerous street racers.

"Giving us more leeway. If you're caught doing any kind of reckless driving, we can tow your vehicle, and it's held for 72 hours. And on a second offense, your vehicle can be forfeited," he said.