A 33-year-old Seattle woman died after climbing out of a moving vehicle on I-5 near Federal Way, where a second vehicle struck her, WSP said. (Photo: WSDOT)
An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the driver of the vehicle Bruns had been riding in before her death. Washington State Patrol has since clarified that the driver was operating the second vehicle involved in the collision. PNW Daily has corrected the story to reflect the updated information. The driver’s name has also been removed at his request.
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A 33-year-old Seattle woman died early Monday after exiting a moving vehicle on Interstate 5 near Federal Way, where a second vehicle struck her, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The fatal crash happened at about 12:17 a.m. Aug. 10 on northbound I-5, just south of South 272nd Street, WSP said. Troopers said the woman had been riding in a vehicle traveling in the third lane of the five-lane freeway when she climbed out while it was still moving.
She came to rest between lanes one and two, where the second vehicle struck her after the first vehicle pulled onto the shoulder.
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Woman Died at the Scene
The woman came to rest on the right shoulder after the collision. Troopers identified her as 33-year-old Justina N. Bruns of Seattle; she died at the scene, and WSP said crews completed next-of-kin notification there as well.
Both vehicles involved came to a stop on the right shoulder.
WSP clarified that the man listed in the initial collision report as the driver of the vehicle Bruns was riding in before her death was incorrectly identified. He was actually driving the second vehicle involved in the collision.
“He was not driving the vehicle that Ms. Bruns exited from,” Trooper Rick Johnson said.
PNW Daily spoke with the driver, who asked not to be named following online harassment related to the confusion. He said the collision happened within seconds and that he did not initially realize the object in the roadway was a person.
The driver said the area was dark and that he had little time to react after encountering debris and a stopped vehicle near the roadway. He said he attempted to avoid what he later realized was Bruns but was unable to do so.
“This happened in the blink of an eye and it is a burden I have to live with for the rest of my life,” he said.
Northbound I-5 Closed for Hours
The crash shut down the roadway for approximately three hours and 45 minutes as investigators worked the scene.
Trooper Johnson said Bruns’ death was ruled a suicide but declined to provide additional details. Meanwhile, the agency listed drugs or alcohol involvement as unknown in its initial report. Troopers reported no other injuries.
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Justina was my friend. I want to know what that man was doing to make her jump out of a moving vehicle on an interstate. I hope the police are doing a thorough investigation.
This was my exact question
The man must be investigated. Ms. Justina N. Bruns is well respected and loved by many, she has community. This is not an open and close case. There is much more to this heartbreaking incident.
I’m here sister those who have questions so do I I’m on fb isnala naji win
Justina was a beautiful young lady. Both inside and out. Getting out of a moving vehicle is something she wouldn’t do. She was responsible. She has always been. Something happened in that vehicle to make her want to escape. There is more to the story.
She was so bright. She had heart. She cared about the students and was an advocate for many. She had her whole life ahead of her. I am so sad. Please investigate this and do not let it go until you find the truth.
Please thoroughly investigate this. Justina was one of my closest friends in college and she would never do something like this. Justina was incredibly intelligent, had a good head on her shoulders, and was welcoming to everyone she met. She never should have left the world this early and in this manner. Please please please get to the bottom of this.
Why are they not releasing the other information of the vehicle if it stopped? Why are they not releasing the man’s name ? Or mentioning the “wife” ? Justina would never have done that to herself! Both vehicles so happen to know Justina, so they were following her? There’s more to the story and Seattle needs to do better! Where’s the camera footage of her jumping out.. or did that man push her, was she even alive before exiting the vehicle?
Hi Kay, I briefly knew Justina too and this is so awful. Can you explain what you mean by both vehicles? Is there another news article with more information?