TENINO, Thurston County, Wash., Sept. 17, 2026 — Authorities closed a stretch of Old Highway 99 near Tenino, Wash., on Wednesday, September 16, after a crash between a truck pulling a trailer and a passenger vehicle left one person trapped.
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office reported the collision near Tilley Road SW and shut down that section of Old Highway 99 while crews worked the scene. Officials asked drivers to avoid the area and take an alternate route while the road remained closed.
South Thurston Fire & EMS extricated one person from the passenger vehicle. The patient was reported conscious and breathing at the scene. No further details on injuries to other occupants, if any, have been released.
The cause of the crash has not been confirmed. The Thurston County Sheriff's Office has not released additional information on charges or contributing factors, and the investigation is ongoing.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk When Trucks and Passenger Cars Collide
When a loaded truck and a passenger car crash, the mismatch in size and weight tends to decide who gets hurt. Occupants of the smaller vehicle typically absorb most of the force, since a passenger car has far less mass and less structure to spread out the impact.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4 percent of large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 g/dL or higher in 2023. That figure points to how rarely alcohol plays a role in these crashes compared with other causes, such as following distance, fatigue, or road conditions.
Passenger vehicle occupants, particularly those seated in the front, tend to make up the bulk of people injured or killed in car-truck collisions nationally. Drivers who share the road with commercial trucks for long stretches, including rural highways and two-lane roads like those common around Thurston County, face more exposure simply by proximity and time on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a crash involving a commercial truck?
Move to a safe location if possible, call 911, and wait for law enforcement to document the scene. Get a medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms take hours to appear. Keep any paperwork the responding officers or fire crews provide.
Why do trucks need so much distance to stop?
Loaded trucks weigh many times more than passenger cars, and that extra weight increases stopping distance substantially. Wet roads, worn brakes, or a heavy trailer load can extend that distance even further.
What makes truck crashes different from typical car accidents?
The size and weight gap between a truck and a passenger vehicle means the smaller vehicle usually takes the greater damage and the occupants face higher injury risk. Trailers can also jackknife or shift load, adding unpredictability to how a crash unfolds.
Why do blind spots matter so much with large trucks?
Trucks have wide blind spots along both sides, directly behind the trailer, and close to the front of the cab. Drivers who linger in these zones may not be visible to the truck driver, which raises the risk of a collision during lane changes or turns.
What to Do After a Truck and Car Crash in Tenino, WA
If you're involved in or witness a crash like this one near Tenino, prioritize safety first. Stay clear of an active roadway, watch for emergency vehicles, and follow any detour instructions from responding agencies. If you or someone nearby is hurt, call 911 right away and let trained crews assess the situation.
Afterward, see a doctor even if you feel fine at the scene. Adrenaline can mask pain from soft-tissue injuries or internal bruising that show up later. Keep records of any medical visits and follow up with your primary care provider if symptoms persist.
Finally, give yourself time to process the experience. A serious roadway incident can be unsettling long after the vehicles are cleared and traffic reopens.
