Crime & Safety
Motorcycle Crash Shuts Down Purdy Spit Bridge
A motorcyclist traveling eastbound on the Purdy Spit Bridge veered into oncoming traffic and striking a truck after the rider clipped a car in front of it.
A collision on State Route 302 halted traffic and sent two people to the hospital Thursday evening.
According to Washington State Patrol, officials rushed a 46-year-old female motorcyclist to St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma. The rider was wearing a helmet that was not compliant with Department of Transportation safety standards.
The collision occurred around 5 p.m. in the middle of the heavily used bridge.
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When authorities arrived, they quickly closed down both lanes of the Purdy Spit Bridge, backing up the evening traffic as far as where SR 16 feeds into westbound Purdy Drive.
According to State Patrol Sgt. Patrick Pronovost, the motorcyclist from Gig Harbor was traveling eastbound over the bridge on her 2008 Harley Davidson. Unable to stop for slowed traffic, the rider clipped the back left end of the stopped vehicle in front of her, which sent the motorcyclist into the oncoming lanes. Pronovost said the rider then struck a pickup truck "head-on" and was ejected off the motorcycle.
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Authorities said the drivers and passengers involved in the accident were all wearing their seat belts. One of the passengers on the pickup was transferred to as a precautionary measure.
Officials said drugs or alcohol were not involved, and they are still investigating the cause of the collision.
By 7:45 p.m., officials reopened the bridge for both lanes.
