Crime & Safety
Puyallup Woman Dies in Yelm Collision, Other Driver Fell Asleep Behind the Wheel
The Washington State Patrol reports that the woman - identified as Linda Burkhardt, 55- was driving on Smith Prairie Road when another vehicle going in the opposite direction veered into oncoming traffic and struck her vehicle.
A Puyallup woman who was involved in a head-on collision late Thursday in Yelm has died after the other driver fell asleep and crossed into on-coming traffic.
The Washington State Patrol reports that Linda Burkhardt, 55, died following the crash, and her next of kin has been notified.
According to the WSP, the collision occurred shortly before midnight Thursday on 161st Way and Smith Prairie Road.
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That's when a northbound SUV driven by Fiona Regan of Tenino, 40, swerved into the opposite lane, where Burkhardt was driving her SUV. Regan appeared to be asleep behind the wheel. The two vehicles collided.
Regan was transported to a nearby hospital for injuries. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. WSP reports that it has issued an infraction.
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Patch will have more on this story as information develops.
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