Tacoma Man Killed After Two Vehicles Strike Him in Auburn

AUBURN, Wash. — A 33-year-old Tacoma man died early Friday after two vehicles struck him on southbound State Route 167 near State Route 18, following an initial crash that left his car stopped in a highway lane.

Rene J. Munoz Zacapu was driving a 2007 Scion southbound when he lost control and struck a concrete barrier shortly before 1:40 a.m. Oct. 30, according to a preliminary Washington State Patrol report.

This Crash Report is sponsored by CrashLaw.NET, a legal resource for crash victims in Whatcom County.

The Scion stopped in the second lane of the highway. The report states that Munoz Zacapu likely exited the vehicle before a southbound 2018 Tesla struck the Scion and its driver.

The impact threw Munoz Zacapu onto the lane marking between the second and third lanes, according to the report. A southbound 2023 Toyota Tacoma then struck him in the second lane.

Munoz Zacapu died at the scene.

Tesla Driver Faces Allegations

The State Patrol identified the Tesla driver as Shawn P. McCreery, 44, of Roy. McCreery suffered injuries and was transported to Valley Medical Center.

The WSP preliminary report lists vehicular homicide, hit-and-run and driving under the influence among the charges it recommends against McCreery. It does not include the evidence or explain how investigators assessed the circumstances of the initial collision and the subsequent impacts.

WSP suspects DUI caused the collision, and the report lists drugs or alcohol as involved. The preliminary incident report does not provide toxicology results, details of any impairment assessment or a reconstruction of the events leading to the fatal injuries.

The 48-year-old driver of the Toyota Tacoma, from Graham, was not injured. The report does not list charges against the Tacoma driver, who pulled over immediately according to the report.

Crash Closed Highway for More Than Five Hours

The collision blocked southbound SR 167 for approximately five hours and 16 minutes, according to the State Patrol.

The Tesla and Scion were totaled. The Tacoma sustained reportable damage.

The preliminary report lists one death and one injury. It does not provide detailed information about visibility, road surface conditions, vehicle speeds, braking or whether either driver had sufficient time and distance to avoid striking Munoz Zacapu.

What to Do After a Late-Night Crash

According to Ziad Youssef, attorney at Bellingham Injury Law, home of CrashLaw.NET, a collision on a busy highway can leave drivers and passengers exposed to approaching traffic, particularly in darkness or poor weather.

In many cases, it is safer to remain in the vehicle and take immediate safety precautions to help reduce the risk of a secondary collision.

Youssef said to turn on your hazard lights and call 911 to report the crash, your location and any injuries. Tell the dispatcher if a vehicle is blocking a traffic lane or creating an immediate hazard.

If your vehicle is in a relatively safe location, remain inside with your seat belt fastened while waiting for help. Avoid walking around the vehicle or inspecting damage near moving traffic.

If the vehicle is stopped in an active lane or another immediately dangerous location, leave only if you can do so safely. Move as far from traffic as possible, preferably behind a guardrail or another protective barrier. Do not cross active lanes to reach safety.

Keep your doors locked if another person behaves aggressively or makes you feel unsafe. If you need to communicate with another driver, avoid standing in or near traffic lanes. Follow instructions from emergency dispatchers and responding officers.

Youssef warns that at night, reduced visibility can make a stopped vehicle or a person in the roadway difficult for approaching drivers to see. Drivers should remain alert for unexpected hazards and reduce speed when conditions limit visibility.

If you’ve been injured in a crash, Youssef suggests coming into the Bellingham Injury Law offices in Bellingham to get a free consultation on your case.

Frequently Asked Questions