WSP seeking witnesses to fatal crash on State Route 167

Washington State Patrol investigators are seeking witnesses to a head-on crash Sunday on State Route 167 that took the lives of three people.

The 1:35 a.m. crash killed Brittany Meredith, 21, of Kent, as well as a married Renton couple, Cesar and Marina Martinez, 72 and 69.

Specifically, WSP wants witness accounts to help them determine why Meredith entered the northbound lanes of 167 in the wrong direction at South 277th Street.

The accident happened just south of South 277th Street. A third vehicle collided with the Meredith’s car shortly after the initial head-on crash. Nobody was injured in that car, a 1999 BMW 740.

Detectives also want to talk to anyone who might have seen the black 1998 Mazda Protege Meredith was driving.

Witnesses can call detective Jerry Cooper at 360-805-1192 or detective Curt Ladines at 360-805-1160.

“We want to know if there was any erratic driving before she entered the freeway,” said Trooper Christina Martin, in a phone interview Wednesday.

“We want more information on her and how she got on the freeway the wrong way.”

Investigators did not find any bottles or cans of alcohol in Meredith’s car, but did notice the odor of alcohol in the vehicle, Martin said.

“We want to know if there was any erratic driving before she entered the freeway,” the trooper added. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to release an autopsy report on Meredith.

That report, which would include a blood-alcohol level, could take up to two weeks before it is released, Martin said.


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 https://www.kentreporter.com/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

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property