A Covington man riding a motorcycle was seriously injured in an collision with a Jeep Cherokee driven by a Kent woman Friday evening in Maple Valley.
At 8:30 p.m. Washington State Patrol troopers were notified of a serious car versus motorcycle collision that had thrown a motorcycle rider several hundred feet and blocked both directions of state Route 169.
The collision occurred on northbound state Route 169 in the area of Southeast 214th.
Witnesses said the motorcycle, a black 2005 Yamaha YZ, was traveling at the speed limit on north SR 169 at Southeast 216th when a 2001 Jeep Cherokee made an abrupt right turn northbound directly in front of the motorcycle forcing it to slow down.
Witnesses also described the Jeep Cherokee to be driving erratically at very slow speed and weaving from left to right. After a short distance the motorcycle, while in a clearly marked passing zone, signaled a lane change and attempted to pass the erratic Jeep.
As the motorcycle reached the driver’s side door the Jeep made a sudden left turn without signaling, striking the motorcycle and throwing both motorcycle and rider down a slight embankment sheering a non-pressurized fire hydrant from the ground. The Jeep Cherokee then continued northbound on SR 169 for approximately ½ mile before returning to pass through the scene southbound where the driver eventually stopped.
The motorcycle rider, identified a 24-year-old man from Covington, was severely injured and transported to Harborview Medical Center where, at the time of this release 1 a.m., he was listed in serious but stable condition with at least one, possibly both, broken femurs.
The driver of the Jeep Cherokee, a 32 year old female from Kent was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular assault. She was booked into the King County jail in Seattle after being seen at Valley Medical Center. She was not reportedly injured in the collision.
This incident is still under active investigation and the Washington State Patrol is looking for any witnesses who may have seen this collision or the involved vehicles immediately before or after.
Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Russ Haake at 425-401-7717.
