The Washington State Patrol says a fleeing driver that struck another vehicle while merging, entering a construction zone, is to blame for the 3 vehicle collision, 2 vehicles went head on in the eastbound lane.

According to the Washington State Patrol, the collision occurred at 5:16 PM on November 8th 2024. Two vehicles were traveling westbound on state route 8 near Milepost 9 entering the construction zone where the lanes merge into the right slow lane, an unknown type white pickup truck merged into the right lane from the left fast lane striking a black 2006 Mercedes Benz SLK 280 causing that vehicle to lose control and go into the eastbound direction lane colliding head on with a gray 2015 HONDA fit. The unknown type white truck with an unknown driver fled the scene, did not stop.

The two drivers of the other vehicles were both transported to Summit Pacific for their injuries. The driver of the black 2006 Mercedes SLK 280 a 65-year-old McCleary man, and In the other vehicle, the 2015 Honda Fit, a 63-year-old Olympia woman. Calls were considered totaled and towed from the scene.

Failure to yield right of way is the current-listed cause of the collision.