DUI crash leaves local woman seriously injured

Published 4:09 pm Monday, October 19, 2009

A 67-year-old Bonney Lake woman suffered serious injuries to her head after the car she was riding in was involved in a two-car accident Friday on state Route 167 at 30th Avenue East.

Washington State Patrol reported 54-year-old Robert M. Phillips of Tacoma was attempting to enter traffic going northbound on SR 167 about 1:55 p.m. when he lost control of his 1964 Chevrolet truck.

Phillips slid into the southbound lanes, causing a 1989 Nissan pickup to hit his truck on the driver side.

The Nissan was driven by Peggy A. Anderson, 59, of Orting. She was was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Anderson’s passenger, Marilyn Parham, was transported to Tacoma General Hospital with serious injuries.

State patrol reported Phillips was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and may face vehicular assault charges upon completion of the investigation.

The northbound lanes of SR 167 were closed and traffic was detoured at Pioneer Avenue during investigation of the scene. The southbound traffic was detoured around the crash scene in the northbound lanes.