Emergency crews investigate a fatal four-vehicle collision on State Route 18 near Southeast 231st Street and the SR 169 interchange in Maple Valley on Thursday, May 21, 2026. One person died and three others were injured after a vehicle crossed the median into opposing traffic. (Photo: WSDOT Traffic)
MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. — A wrong-way driver crossed the median on State Route 18 near Maple Valley Thursday afternoon and triggered a four-vehicle chain-reaction crash that killed the driver and sent three others to Harborview Medical Center.
This Crash Report is sponsored by CrashLaw.NET, a legal resource for crash victims in Whatcom County.
Driver Crossed Into Opposing Traffic
The crash occurred around 2:37 p.m. near Southeast 231st Street and Milepost 15.7, just west of the SR 169 interchange.
According to the Washington State Patrol, Sean D. Collins, 50, of Bothell, drove westbound on SR 18 when his Volvo S90 crossed the median into eastbound lanes.
A 17-year-old Kent driver attempted to avoid the oncoming vehicle. The Volvo struck the passenger side of her Toyota 4Runner anyway. Collins then continued into another eastbound lane, where his car collided head-on with a Toyota Tundra before rotating and striking a Subaru Outback.
Troopers transported Collins to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
Three Others Injured
The driver of the Toyota Tundra, a 49-year-old Kent man, suffered injuries but did not require transport from the scene.
The driver of the Subaru Outback, a 52-year-old Maple Valley woman, and a 13-year-old passenger both went to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.
The 17-year-old driver whose 4Runner the Volvo first struck was not injured. Investigators confirmed all occupants wore seatbelts. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Highway Closed During Evening Commute
The crash blocked all eastbound lanes of SR 18 near the SR 169 interchange throughout much of the afternoon and evening commute.
WSDOT diverted eastbound traffic at Southeast 256th Street while troopers and emergency crews investigated the scene and cleared damaged vehicles. Westbound lanes reopened before all eastbound lanes finally cleared around 7 p.m.
The state patrol reported the roadway remained blocked for approximately four hours and 26 minutes.
PNW Daily brings you this Crash Report as part of the ongoing series sponsored by CrashLaw.NET. If you’ve been seriously injured, give Ziad Youseff and the team a call today at (360) 255-5046.
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