Washington State Patrol (WSP) is actively seeking assistance from the public, including potential witnesses and dashcam footage, following a fatal collision on southbound State Route 167 near Auburn. The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday, September 28, resulted in the death of 24-year-old Zachary T. Johnston, a Kent resident who was operating a bright green Kawasaki motorcycle. In connection with the collision, the driver of the other vehicle involved, a 28-year-old man from Seattle who was operating a black Porsche 911, was taken into custody on October 1. He is currently under investigation for vehicular homicide.
The collision unfolded at approximately 12:46 p.m. Both the 2025 black Porsche 911 and the Kawasaki motorcycle were observed traveling at high speeds. They were initially in lane four, which is the far right lane of southbound SR-167, specifically at a point just north of the State Route 18 interchange. According to the WSP's detailed account, the Porsche then moved from its position into lane two. Simultaneously, the motorcycle shifted its path into lane three. Subsequently, the Porsche also moved into lane three, where it made contact with and struck the motorcycle.
Mr. Johnston, despite wearing a helmet at the time of the impact, was ejected from his motorcycle due to the force of the collision. His body came to rest in the far right lane of the highway. Both the Porsche and the motorcycle eventually came to a stop on the right side of the roadway. Tragically, Mr. Johnston succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the crash, passing away before emergency first responders were able to arrive and provide aid. The severity of the incident led to a significant disruption of traffic, with the southbound lanes of SR-167 remaining blocked for an extended period of four hours and eleven minutes.
In their initial assessment of the crash, the Washington State Patrol identified both excessive speed and an improper lane change as primary factors contributing to the fatal incident. As the investigation progressed, WSP issued a public release on October 1 confirming the apprehension of the Porsche driver. The legal framework for this investigation falls under the vehicular homicide statute, specifically targeting the "reckless driving prong" of that legislation, indicating the serious nature of the charges being considered against the driver.
The Washington State Patrol detectives emphasize the critical role the public can play in providing further clarity on this case. They are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have directly witnessed the collision or who might possess dashcam footage recorded around the time and location of the incident. Such evidence could offer valuable insights and additional perspectives for the ongoing investigation. Individuals with pertinent information are urged to contact Detective John Ford by emailing him directly at [email protected]. Public cooperation is essential to help investigators piece together the full circumstances surrounding this tragic event.