Man killed as car slams into tree along Hwy. 512 in Puyallup
PUYALLUP, Wash. - A 44-year-old man was killed when his car slammed into a tree Saturday afternoon along Highway 512 in Puyallup, the Washington State Patrol reported.
State troopers responded to the scene, on Highway 512 just east of 7th Avenue SE, at about 12:10 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report of a serious one-car crash.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Francis S. Gierczynski, 44, of Puyallup, was found dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation found that Gierczynski was heading west on Highway 512 in a 1997 Mercury Cougar when he veered off the roadway and crashed into a tree. The car came to rest on its top after the crash.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the accident, the State Patrol said.
State troopers responded to the scene, on Highway 512 just east of 7th Avenue SE, at about 12:10 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report of a serious one-car crash.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Francis S. Gierczynski, 44, of Puyallup, was found dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation found that Gierczynski was heading west on Highway 512 in a 1997 Mercury Cougar when he veered off the roadway and crashed into a tree. The car came to rest on its top after the crash.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the accident, the State Patrol said.
So sad, probably something medical, I am willing to bet it was sleep apnea related, or maybe cardiac or neurological :( my thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
KIRO says he was 54 years old. Little information and still can't get it right on one or the other.
Condolences to the family of this young man. I bet this was death by cell phone.
 @ObsidianOne Really?  and how would you know that?  I slammed into a tree behind Fort Lewis last year and I hope no one assumed that.  I passed out from a brain aneurysm.  Don't assume - you could be wrong!  I am lucky to be alive!
The article said drugs or alcohol were not an oblivious factor. How about checking the cell phone records at the time.
Apparently he didn't try to correct for the problem. Had his head down texting? Probably.
There are so many Darwin award candidates out there texting while driving it is unbelievable.
How about a medical emergency? Everyone is so quick to judge.
 @pensguy76 Thank you!!!!!!  I had a brain aneurysm last year and slammed into a tree and was fortunate enough not to die!  I was 35 at the time.  My thoughts are with the family of this man.
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RIP to who ever lost there life in this accident. When the State patrol was doing an investagation they stopped both lanes of traffic and were spray painting things on the road taking pictures. It was very odd I thought there was perhaps evidence or something on the road. I was the 6 car back on my way home from work.Â
Drove right by that today......sometimes driving like a maniac catches up with you......
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@Suspishissofu
 One of these days you're going to type a ridiculous rant like that before the victim is named and then you'll find out it's someone you know or love. Only then will you maybe get it that making assumptions like that can be very heartless and cruel.
 @Suspishissofu Way to go, there, Captain Assumption. Maybe someone like the guy you just described cut him off?
@Suspishissofu You make a lot of assumptions buddy. You could be right, but the guy could have had a medical emergency or something too. Lots of possibilities. Â
 @Suspishissofu Disgusting comment.
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 @Suspishissofu  @sleever There you go being an ass again.  I don't know the guy.  I simply know that wishing death upon someone for how you assume they drive is pretty sick. Â
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The pathetic part is, if it comes out that he had a heart attack or other medical emergency... Â you would likely still feel justified with your ridiculous rant because he still might have been one of THOSE guys who drive not according to your rules (which by your post means doing 60mph and not 1mph over in the passing lane no matter what). Â
I'm not suggesting that the fellow was a druggie, I'm ASKING, how can they determine that drugs weren't a factor before the tox results get back?
A medical issue prior to the crash might have been obvious when he was found.
 @makeadifference You may be right, but I can't think of any that would show up like that.
@Commenter87643Â I wondered the exact same thing.Â
Very Sad, my condolences to the family.......
Well that sucks! R.I.P.
And it didn't end well. Hard to say what caused this..blown tire..medical condition..but if he was texting I hope he got last last email off in time. RIP buddy.
I drove by this earlier today. I didn't think it was going to end well, but was hopeful. RIP