A chain-reaction crash at Enchanted Parkway and South 356th Street in Federal Way last Friday morning left one person dead and two others injured, with multiple vehicles catching fire after a driver hit a car stopped at a red light. The driver responsible was arrested at the scene.
Police Say Impairment Suspected In Fatal Fireball Crash
Investigators say the impact began when a driver rear-ended a vehicle that was waiting at a traffic signal. Both vehicles caught fire and then smashed into a third car. Officers at the scene reported the driver showed signs of impairment and took that person into custody on suspicion of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, according to FOX 13 Seattle.
Firefighters knocked down the flames while medics rushed two injured people to nearby hospitals. Authorities have not released the names of those involved or updated their conditions, keeping details tight as the investigation unfolds.
Deadly Wreck Hits Federal Way’s Problematic Triangle Corridor
The collision unfolded along a busy stretch of Enchanted Parkway that shuttles drivers between I-5, SR-18 and Meridian Avenue, an area that has been on local planners’ worry list for years. Coverage of the often-jammed “Triangle” interchange has highlighted how long-discussed fixes to bottlenecks and merge points have stalled out, leaving heavy traffic pouring through intersections like South 356th Street, according to Federal Way Mirror.
That mix of congestion, tight ramps and high volumes means any collision at a signalized intersection can quickly turn serious, as Friday’s blaze made painfully clear.
What Happens Next For The Driver And The Case
The arrested driver remains in custody while investigators gather evidence and prosecutors decide whether to file formal felony charges, FOX 13 Seattle reports. In Washington, vehicular homicide and vehicular assault are defined under state law (see RCW 46.61.520 and RCW 46.61.522) and carry significant prison time when a crash causes death or serious injury…