Kent Police investigate fatal collision on West Hill; woman identified

Kent Police are investigating a single-car collision that killed a female passenger and seriously injured the male driver early Tuesday.

Kent Police are investigating a single-car collision that killed a female passenger and seriously injured the male driver early Tuesday on the West Hill.

Tammy L. Avery, 51, died from multiple injuries suffered in the accident, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office on Wednesday.

At 8:18 a.m., Des Moines officers discovered a vehicle that had left the roadway in the 25400 block of Pacific Highway, on Kent’s west border, and struck a traffic signal pole. When Kent Police and fire units arrived, they discovered the male driver and Avery were pinned inside of the vehicle. The driver’s foot was trapped under the dash and he was able to be removed by firefighters.

Avery was unconscious and had to be extricated from the vehicle.

Neither occupant was wearing a seat belt.

CPR was initiated on Avery, and King County Medics responded. The life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.

The man, 47, was seriously injured and transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. His condition is unknown.

Kent Police traffic investigators are looking into the circumstances that may have contributed to the collision. There was no indication of excessive speed, police said. However, impaired driving has not yet been ruled out.

“This is a tragic reminder to both drivers and passengers to always wear their seat belt,” said Kent Police Sgt. Mike Schanbacher.

It is unknown whether charges will be filed against the driver, police said. Police said the man and Avery were both staying in Des Moines.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire honors this year’s 20 retirees

17 firefighters and 3 staff members retire; firefighters served between 24 and 35 years

t
Pedestrian dies in Kent after being struck by a vehicle | Update

Des Moines man, 61, identified; reportedly tried crossing highway late at night but wasn’t in a crosswalk

t
‘Drivers going too fast’ led to 45-vehicle collision in Kent on I-5

State Patrol says drivers need to ‘slow down;’ nobody seriously injured in Sunday afternoon incident

T
Sound Transit to feature glass art in Kent at Star Lake Station

Part of agency’s light rail art program at two stations in Kent and one in Federal Way

Emergency vehicles respond Oct. 21 to the State Route 18 crash in Maple Valley that killed a Kent baby. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Federal Way man faces vehicular homicide charge in death of Kent baby

19-year-old also charged with vehicular assault for injuring boy’s mother in SR 18 crash

t
Kent mother arrested after reportedly driving drunk with baby in vehicle

22-month-old baby uninjured after witnesses report woman asleep at the wheel and blocking traffic

Puget Sound Fire, King County Medic One, and Washington State Patrol on location of the accident. Photo from Puget Sound Fire X account
Baby dies in crash on SR 18

Incident occurred at about 2:58 p.m. Oct. 21.