Tragedy can strike at any time, and anyone could become the victim of a personal injury accident. If someone is acting irresponsibly, such as being an inattentive driver, they can cause someone to lose their life.
On the evening of Thursday, May 4th, 2022, a 51-year-old woman from Puyallup died in a motorcycle accident. The accident happened in Auburn, on State Route 167. The people involved were traveling southbound, and the wreck occurred near the State Route 18 interchange. The motorcyclist, Katheline Washburn, slowed down for traffic at around 6:11 in the evening. She was just north of the State Route 18 interchange. The collision happened because the driver that was behind her struck the back of her motorcycle, the Washington State Patrol reports. The man that hit her was in a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. He is 39 years old, and is a resident of Puyallup. He did not exhibit any signs of slowing down for traffic, and crashed into Washburn. Troopers stated that the pickup driver realized that something terrible had happened, and he tried to stop. His truck veered into an adjacent lane and then came to a stop. The accident left Katheline Washburn beneath the pickup truck. Washburn was wearing a helmet, but unfortunately it was not enough to save her life. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup truck driver was uninjured in the accident. According to Washington State Patrol Troopers, the accident was caused by driver inattention, speeding, and following too closely. They don’t believe that alcohol or drugs were factors that lead to the crash. It’s true that many car accidents are caused by driving under the influence, but that doesn’t seem to be the cause here. An investigation into what happened is ongoing. As of yet, the driver has not been charged. However, it is clear that the accident probably would not have happened if he was not exhibiting negligent behavior. Southbound State Route 167 was partially closed on Thursday for three and a half hours while evidence was gathered and cleanup took place. While the road was partially closed, traffic used the HOV lane.
Katheline Washburn will be missed by her family, coworkers, and friends. She was a bright and energetic woman who was passionate about health. At the time of her death, she had been a member of the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (ANFP) for over five years. She worked as a dietary manager at the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). The DVA’s aim is to help connect veterans, as well as their loved ones, to all the services and benefits that they are entitled to because of military service. This important work helps to ensure that veterans are taken care of and not left behind by the system. Katheline Washburn went the extra mile to help veterans. She worked as a fund drive coordinator for the Washington DVA. At a recognition event that was held in Olympia, the Washington DVA was honored with multiple awards. One of these was the Coordinator Team of the Year, which Katheline Washburn and Fia Jensen were presented with for their work at the Walla Walla Veteran’s Home
Katheline Washburn also competed in the 2019 USA Powerlifting Spokane Rookie Meet. She placed second in her category. She was somebody living a rich, full life. Her dedication to helping others and her advocation for health and fitness will be remembered by those who knew her. It is a tragedy that she died in a wrongful death accident, and our team at Sears Injury Law extends our condolences to her loved ones. Sears Injury Law’s goal is to help victims of personal injury accidents get the compensation they are entitled to so that they can cover all of their expenses relating to their injury. We also handle wrongful death cases, fighting to get justice for the deceased’s surviving loved ones. Insurance companies do not care what you are going through. Even in delicate situations where somebody has lost someone close to them, they will try to take advantage of the family and get them to except an offer much lower than what they need. Our team of expert wrongful death attorneys have helped many people navigate the often-complex claims process. Wrongful death cases can be complicated, and it is important that every piece of evidence is gathered and presented properly. This includes accessing police photos, interviewing witnesses, and more. We will be stay by your side and help you through every step of the claims process, from the beginning to the end. We understand how difficult it can be in the aftermath of a loved one’s wrongful death, but we are here to offer you advice and understanding.
Sears Injury Law handles a wide variety of personal injury accident types. We have helped many motorcycle accident victims get compensation. Motorcycle accidents are similar to accidents involving two cars in some ways – they happen on the road and can cause injuries and death. However, motorcycle accidents are far more likely to result in fatalities and serious injury than car accidents. Even with a helmet on, riding a motorcycle can be very dangerous. Motorcyclists don’t have the outer protection that somebody in a car has. Car drivers are less likely to see motorcyclists, because their vehicles are smaller, and they don’t expect them to be there. If you are in search of a reputable wrongful death or motorcycle accident attorney in Puyallup, Sears Injury Law is here for you. We fight for victims and their loved ones, and win. Get in touch with our firm so that we can set up a no-cost consultation with you. If you aren’t able to make it to our office, we will come to you. We want the whole process to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible for you. During our initial meeting, we will evaluate your case’s value and give professional advice on how you should proceed. Reach out to Sears Injury Law so that we can get started.