Welcome to the Washington "TSRP" Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Website

THE AFTERMATH OF ST. PADDY'S DAY.......FRIDAY.......March 18, 2022 

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on our nation’s roads. During the 2015-2019 St. Patrick’s Day period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), 280 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes. In 2019, drunk driving killed more than 10,000 people in our country, and every single one of those deaths was preventable. 

This death and this crash was entirely preventable.  

SADLY, ON MARCH 18, IN TACOMA WA, DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR, A SEMI-TRUCK DRIVER SUSPECTED OF DRIVING HIS SEMI-TRUCK WHILE HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE WAS INVOLVED IN A 2 SEMI-TRUCK AND 6 CAR COLLISION WHICH KILLED ONE PERSON, INJURED OTHERS, AND SHUT DOWN  I-5.  

According to a Pierce County prosecuting attorney, Gregory Jenkins was behind the wheel of a red semi-truck that didn't slow down ahead of traffic and smashed into a vehicle, causing a chain reaction of collisions that left six other cars damaged and seven people injured, including one man who was declared dead at the scene. The semi-truck driver was not among those treated for injuries at the scene.  He has plead not guilty to one count of vehicular homicide and four counts of vehicular assault.

This comes on the heels of another fatal Semi-Truck driver who killed a tow truck driver in Milton, WA, on February 15.  The driver of the tow truck died on scene. The tow truck operator died while securing a vehicle to his tow truck on the side of the road.

This should be a reminder to all to (1) not drive impaired-whether that is due to drugs and alcohol or lack of sleep, and (2) move over when you see emergency aid, police, or workers on the roadway or to slow down. This is the law in Washington State. Lawmakers heard House Bill 1709, which would let tow truck operators use not only red lights but rear-facing blue lights to increase visibility when they are pulled over. Unfortunately, due to the short legislative session, this bill was not passed.  

Let us hope it is reintroduced next session so more lives are not lost.