A Tacoma motorcyclist was injured Friday morning, Oct. 16 in a three-vehicle crash that closed northbound I-5 at SR 516 in Kent for more than two hours, according to the Washington State Patrol.
A 20-year-old rider, was taken to Valley Medical Center after the crash, reported about 9:23 a.m. Oct. 16.
The two other drivers were not injured.
The State Patrol listed reckless driving as the cause and as the offense. Drugs and alcohol were not involved, according to the report.
Troopers said the motorcyclist approached a GMC Yukon from behind at a high rate of speed. As the Yukon’s driver began moving into another lane to let him pass, the rider split the lane and struck the SUV’s side.
The motorcycle then slid across the lanes to the right and struck the rear of a Subaru Forester, according to the State Patrol.
The motorcycle stopped in lanes three and four, while the Subaru stopped in lane three. The Yukon came to rest in the median between northbound and southbound I-5. The roadway was closed for two hours and 26 minutes.
The Yukon’s driver and the Subaru’s driver were wearing seat belts. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet that met federal safety standards, according to the report.
The State Patrol listed the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 motorcycle and 2011 GMC Yukon as totaled. The third vehicle was a 2010 Subaru Forester.
How the collision happened
According to the Washington State Patrol:
- All three vehicles were traveling north on I-5 at SR 516.
- The motorcycle and Yukon were in lane five of six. The Subaru was in lane three.
- The motorcycle approached the Yukon from behind at a high rate of speed.
- As the Yukon began merging into lane four to allow the motorcycle to pass, the motorcyclist split the lane and struck the Yukon’s side.
- The motorcycle slid across the lanes to the right and struck the Subaru’s rear.
- The motorcycle stopped in lanes three and four, the Subaru stopped in lane three and the Yukon stopped in the median.
