Head-on crash kills one Wednesday morning, closing Yelm Highway for hours
One person died and two others were injured in a head-on collision Wednesday morning near the intersection of Yelm Highway and Johnson Road Southeast.
The crash occurred at about 6:30 a.m. just south of Lake St. Clair, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies investigating the scene determined a vehicle traveling west crossed the center line and struck another vehicle traveling east, Lt. Cameron Simper told The Olympian. Lacey Fire District 3 and deputies responded to the scene and closed the highway between Johnson Road and Meridian Road.
A man in his 30s drove the westbound vehicle and died at the scene of the collision, Simper said. He said the driver had recently left a domestic disturbance at a home on Braywood Lane.
Simper said two people in the eastbound car suffered minor injuries, including a driver in his 40s and an 8-month-old infant. He said medical aid transported both to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.
The cause of the collision remained under investigation Wednesday morning. Deputies advised to the public to take alternate routes because the highway was closed for several hours.
Given recent seasonal changes, Simper said the public should be cautious during their morning travels.
“Our commutes that used to be in the daylight are now sometimes in the dark,” Simper said. “So in these early morning hours, when it’s dark and rainy, it’s more important to adhere to those posted speed limits.”
This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 7:42 AM.
