Traffic & Transit

Clear Lake Crash Has Troopers Urging Caution On Wet Roads

Washington State Patrol is urging drivers to slow down, or risk ending up like this pickup that careened off the road Sunday.

The crash caused serious damage to the cabin of the pickup, but the driver escaped with only minor injuries.
The crash caused serious damage to the cabin of the pickup, but the driver escaped with only minor injuries. (Washington State Patrol)

TACOMA, WA — Wet roads and high speeds are a recipe for disaster, warns the Washington State Patrol.

Case in point, WSP troopers say slick roads were to blame for the dramatic pickup truck crash pictured above, which happened midday Sunday on State Route 161 near 352nd, not far from Clear Lake.

Though the cabin of the pickup took some serious damage, the driver managed to walk away with only minor injuries.

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"Speeds too high for the wet roadway conditions was (again) the reason for this," wrote Trooper Robert Reyer.

That crash is just one of dozens Washington State Patrol troopers responded to across the South Sound this weekend— and troopers say, they'll keep happening unless drivers take caution.

Find out what's happening in Puyallupfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Fortunately, the solution is simple: just slow down and take it easy. It might be a bummer having to spend that extra time out on the roads, troopers say, but it's infinitely better than wasting way more time in the hospital, or worse.

It's better to learn that lesson now, because wet roads are here to stay: the latest forecast shows heavy rainfall over Puget Sound through at least the end of this work week.

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