On Friday evening, a tragic incident claimed the life of a Washington State Patrol officer on State Route 509. According to Tacoma Police Department officials, the trooper was investigating a separate collision when the fatal sequence occurred.
Details of the Incident
The events unfolded around 7:25 p.m. on the on-ramp to southbound SR-509 from Port of Tacoma Road. Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, 29, was struck by an initial vehicle while conducting her investigation.
"The initial impact caused the trooper to be thrown into the right travel lane of southbound SR-509, where the trooper was incapacitated and lying motionless in the roadway," authorities stated in their official release.
Shortly afterward, a second vehicle—described as a dark-colored pickup truck—struck the trooper in the right lane and continued traveling south on SR-509 without stopping.
Investigation Status
The driver of the first vehicle remained at the scene following the incident and was not taken into custody, according to Chris Loftis, WSP's director of public affairs.
Police are actively seeking the second vehicle, which may be a four-door Chevrolet Avalanche or similar Cadillac Escalade EXT-style pickup. The vehicle potentially features tinted windows, chrome door handles, and chrome running boards. No license plate information is currently available.
Authorities are requesting that anyone with information or video footage of the second vehicle contact investigators through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and charges.
