01/07/2021 @ 2330
The Washington State Patrol has released the identity of the woman who was fatally struck on I-5 south near Olympia in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 7th.
She is identified as Patricia Kempinski, 55, of Lacey. She was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. Her next of kin was notified today by the Thurston County Coroner’s Office.
At approximately 12:50 am Thursday, a 2013 Hyundai Accent driven by a 71-year-old Olympia man, was travelling on the I-5 southbound off ramp to Exit 105 (State Capitol/City Center/Port of Olympia) in the right lane, when the vehicle struck and killed the pedestrian, according to WSP.
The driver of the vehicle was not injured. Drugs and/or alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the accident. The State Patrol lists the cause of the accident as “pedestrian trespassing on freeway”. The off-ramp was closed for just over two hours.
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