On October 12, 2026, at approximately 11:10 p.m., Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a fatal two-vehicle collision at the intersection of 134th Avenue East and 144th Street East in the South Hill area.
The collision involved two vehicles in a T-bone-style crash. The Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit responded to assist with the investigation.
Preliminary findings indicate that speed may have been a contributing factor. Investigators believe one vehicle was traveling southbound on 134th Avenue East at a high rate of speed as it approached the stop sign at 144th Street East. A second vehicle was traveling westbound on 144th Street East and had the right-of-way. The southbound vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign and was struck by the westbound vehicle.
The 29-year-old male driver of the southbound vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 22-year-old male driver of the westbound vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
No arrests have been made. Investigators determined impairment was not a factor for the 22-year-old driver.
This remains an active investigation.