Motorcycle Accident Newsroom

Ft. Lewis Soldier Deceased After Motorcycle Accident on SR 16

A 26 year-old Ft. Lewis Soldier received life threatening injuries when he was ejected from his motorcycle after leaving the roadway exiting eastbound State Route (SR) 16 to southbound Interstate 5 (I-5).

The October 30, 2007 incident occurred at approximately 6:47 p.m., when the State Patrol received a report of a one motorcycle injury collision on State Route (SR) 16 at the southbound I-5 exit. Thomas S. Storrs, a twenty six year-old soldier from Ft. Lewis, was driving a 2000 Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on SR 16 taking the southbound I-5 exit. Storrs left the roadway on the right shoulder, went into the ditch and was ejected from his motorcycle.

Storrs was transported to St. Joseph’s hospital in Tacoma with life threatening injuries. Sadly, he was unable to survive his injuries and was pronounced deceased at St. Joe Hospital that evening.

Street for approximately two hours during the investigation. Investigators believe that speed may have been the cause of this tragic and preventable collision. Storrs was wearing an approved helmet during the crash, but unfortunately did not have a motorcycle endorsement. This year, in Pierce and Thurston County alone, there have been a total of ten fatal motorcycle collisions. In six of the ten fatal collisions the driver of the motorcycle did not have a motorcycle endorsement. It is the law, go through a motorcycle safety training course and obtain the motorcycle endorsement; it could save your life