3RD WASHINGTON STATE TROOPER HIT IN 3 DAYS
3RD WASHINGTON STATE TROOPER STRUCK ON ACTIVE ROADWAY AS DISTRACTED DRIVING CONTINUES TO ENDANGER FIRST RESPONDERS IN 3 DAYS 😡 😡 😡
PIERCE COUNTY, WA — December 21, 2025 — A Washington State Patrol trooper was struck early Sunday morning while operating on an active roadway along westbound State Route 512 near Canyon Road in Pierce County.
At approximately 6:00 a.m., the trooper was inside a fully marked patrol vehicle with emergency lighting activated while assisting a disabled motorist whose vehicle was blocking traffic. While actively pushing the disabled vehicle toward the next exit to clear the roadway, a distracted driver rear-ended the patrol car.
The trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The driver responsible was not impaired but was confirmed to be distracted. No arrest was made.
This incident marks the THIRD time since Friday, December 19, 2025, that a Washington State Patrol trooper has been struck on a roadway.
On December 19, Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, 29, was struck and killed while standing outside her patrol vehicle investigating a crash on State Route 509 near the Port of Tacoma. On that same day, another trooper was injured when a semi-truck struck their patrol vehicle while working a collision on Snoqualmie Pass.
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STATEMENTS FROM SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER
Paul Libri, Executive Director of Slow Down Move Over, stated:
“A marked patrol vehicle, emergency lights activated, occupying the roadway for public safety purposes, was struck because a driver was distracted. That is not an accident. That is a failure to follow the law and a failure to value human life.”
Libri continued:
“We are watching the same scenario play out repeatedly. First responders are doing their jobs on the roadway and drivers fail to slow down, fail to move over, and fail to pay attention. The result is injuries, destroyed equipment, and lives lost.”
Slow Down Move Over emphasized that roadway operations are inherently dangerous and entirely dependent on driver compliance with Move Over laws.
“Every time a driver ignores a stopped emergency vehicle on the roadway, they are making a decision that could permanently alter someone else’s family,” Libri said. “Trooper Guting should be alive today. This injured trooper should not be in a hospital. These outcomes are preventable.”
Washington State Patrol has deployed troopers from neighboring areas to cover Pierce County while personnel grieve the loss of Trooper Guting.
Slow Down Move Over stands with the Washington State Patrol and all first responders who risk their lives every day working on active roadways.
This is no longer a warning. It is a documented pattern of preventable harm.
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#ProtectThoseWhoProtectUs
#LineOfDuty
#EmergencyVehicles
#TowLivesMatter
#RoadwayAwareness
These recent incidents involving Washington State Patrol troopers highlight a critical and ongoing safety issue on the roads: the failure of drivers to comply with Move Over laws and to pay attention while driving. When emergency vehicles are stopped with flashing lights, these laws require motorists to slow down and change lanes to provide a safety buffer for the responders working roadside. Unfortunately, distracted driving—often caused by mobile phone use, eating, or other in-car distractions—is a major factor in collisions with emergency personnel vehicles. The tragic death of Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting and the subsequent injuries to fellow troopers demonstrate the real human cost of negligence behind the wheel. First responders put their lives on the line daily, and it is essential that drivers recognize their responsibility to adapt their driving behavior in these situations. The usage of fully marked patrol vehicles with emergency lighting is designed to alert drivers of the presence of personnel on or near the road. Yet, failure to slow down and move over constitutes not just a violation of the law, but a disregard for human life. Raising public awareness through campaigns like Slow Down Move Over is vital. Drivers need to be continuously reminded about the dangers of distracted driving and their legal obligations to respect emergency scenes. These campaigns emphasize that ignoring a stopped emergency vehicle can have devastating consequences, breaking families apart and causing irreversible damage. Increased enforcement and stricter penalties for violators may also act as deterrents. Moreover, community engagement and education about the critical role of Move Over laws can foster a culture of roadway safety. Real-life stories and first-person accounts of such crashes can resonate more powerfully with drivers, encouraging behavioral change. In addition, technology such as in-car alerts or navigation system warnings about nearby emergency vehicles could help reduce incident rates. Ultimately, protecting those who protect us requires a shared commitment from all drivers to drive attentively, obey traffic laws, and respect the dangers emergency responders face every day on the roadways. Each driver's responsible actions can prevent injuries, save lives, and honor the memory of those lost in the line of duty.
We had a place where it seemed 1 crash a day. This is upsetting seems you have a body count before they fix it