Man who was killed in crash on Old Highway 99 was a high school teacher

Longtime Bellarmine Preparatory School teacher Timothy J. Milnes of Tenino was the man who died early Tuesday in a car crash on Old Highway 99.

An autopsy is set for Friday to determine the cause of death, said Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock, who released Milnes’ name Wednesday morning.

Milnes, 60, taught religion at Bellarmine, a Catholic high school in Tacoma. Milnes started teaching at Bellarmine in 1982, left the job in 1986, but returned in 1992.

School spokesman Craig Coovert said counselors were on hand Tuesday to help students grieving the loss of their teacher.

“We ask that the community please pray for Tim’s family, as well as for the students, faculty and staff during this time of great loss,” Bellarmine President Rob Modarelli said in a message to students, parents and alumni.

About 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Milnes was northbound in his 2014 Toyota Corolla when a southbound semi apparently crossed the center line and crashed into him in the 14100 block of Old Highway 99. The road was closed in both directions at Chein Hill Lane Southeast until about 3:30 p.m Tuesday.

The crash remains under investigation, and no determination has been made about whether the driver of the truck will face charges, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Carla Carter said Wednesday.

She said the company that operates the truck works on behalf of the U.S. Postal Service as a contractor.

This story was originally published May 3, 2017 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Man who was killed in crash on Old Highway 99 was a high school teacher."