Speed, failure to yield determined as factors in fatal tow truck collision

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the 27-year-old man who died at the scene.

Speed and a tow truck driver’s failure to yield were factors in a Sept. 2 collision that killed a 27-year-old man in Federal Way, according to police.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as Falepopo Te’o. He died at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries and his death was ruled as an accident.

Just before 7 p.m. Sept. 2, Federal Way officers responded to a serious injury collision in the 4300 block of SW 320th Street, the Mirror previously reported.

A tow truck was traveling west on SW 320th Street at 43rd Place SW when the driver — a 24-year-old man — made a left turn in front of a two-door Honda sedan traveling east on SW 320th Street, said Cmdr. Kurt Schwan of Federal Way Police.

The tow truck driver’s failure to yield while making the turn was a main cause of the collision, Schwan said, adding that speed was also a contributing factor in the fatal crash.

Te’o was driving approximately 50 mph when he first hit the brakes while driving east on SW 320th Street, Schwan said on Sept. 10. The section of the road where the collision occurred is a 35 mph zone.

The driver of the tow truck was uninjured. Intoxication is not believed to be involved in the collision, police previously said.