Driver dies in accident while fleeing from police

Authorities say the driver ran a red light while escaping police and struck another vehicle.

Renton authorities responded to a fatal collision that occurred on Oct. 20 at the intersection of Maple Valley Highway and 154th Pl. SE.

Officers responded to a collision at 8:34 p.m. Oct. 20, according to Renton Police Department spokesperson Meeghan Black. When they arrived, they discovered a 39-year-old Maple Valley man had suffered fatal injuries and a 72-year-old Tacoma woman had suffered critical injuries.

She was reportedly transported to Harborview Medical Center.

“The initial investigation revealed that a Washington State Patrol trooper had attempted to pull the male driver over for speeding. He refused to stop and fled from the trooper,” Black said in an email to the Renton Reporter. “The trooper said the man ran a red light and collided with the female driver.”

The collision is an active investigation, according to Black.

Renton Regional Fire Authority spokesperson Sara Morris said responders from their department were called and responded to assist Washington State Patrol and Renton Police Department with an “accident with injury” call.

“Our role was to assist with extrication of patients from vehicle[s] and to utilize ladder truck[s] for scene safety on the highway,” Morris said in an email to the Renton Reporter. “It was determined that one patient was deceased at the scene and another patient was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.”

Fatal accident that occurred on Oct. 20 on Maple Valley Highway (Screenshot from Renton Firefighter Union tweets)

Fatal accident that occurred on Oct. 20 on Maple Valley Highway (Screenshot from Renton Firefighter Union tweets)