Robert B. Pearson Killed in Auburn, Washington SR 167 Crash on December 11, 2025

On the morning of December 11, 2025, a fatal three-vehicle collision occurred in the northbound lanes of State Route 167 near Auburn, Washington, just south of the SR 18 interchange. According to Washington State Patrol reports, traffic had slowed when two vehicles stopped in the left lane and a third failed to decelerate in time, resulting in a severe rear-end impact involving two commercial trucks and a passenger vehicle.

Robert B. Pearson, a 29-year-old resident of Bonney Lake, Washington, was identified as the driver of the sedan that was crushed between the two larger vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that all drivers were wearing seat belts and that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash. The incident caused an extended roadway closure lasting nearly seven hours while investigators documented the scene and cleared the roadway. The investigation remains ongoing.