UPDATE: Driver dies, passenger injured during one-car crash near Enumclaw
By KEVIN HANSON
Enumclaw Courier Herald Senior Writer, Editor
November 14, 2011 · Updated 7:13 PM
Both a driver and passenger were rushed to Harborview Medical Center Saturday morning after a compact car left state Route 164, crossed a lane of traffic and crashed into a stand of trees.
The trouble was, the 1993 Honda Prelude was hidden by vegetation and was not discovered for hours. According to Washington State Patrol reports, the accident occurred about 1:45 a.m. and was finally seen by people walking in the area at approximately 7:10 a.m.
The Honda was eastbound on SR 164, crossed the westbound lane and crashed near the intersection of Southeast 392nd Street.
According to WSP documents, the vehicle was being driven by Derek T. Phifer, 26, of Bonney Lake. His passenger was 27-year-old Tristan E. Plew of Kirkland, Wash. Monday afternoon, it was announced Phifer died as a result of his injuries.
A State Patrol press release indicated alcohol was a contributing factor to the accident.
Traffic was detoured for nearly four hours Saturday morning while the State Patrol investigated.
Contact Enumclaw Courier Herald Senior Writer, Editor Kevin Hanson at editor@courierherald.com or 360-802-8205.
Comment on this story.
So keep your comments:
- Civil
- Smart
- On-topic
- Free of profanity
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.
