A 54-year-old Thurston County motorcyclist died at the scene after a two-vehicle collision near Yelm early Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred at about 2:15 a.m. on the 12900 block of Bald Hill Road Southeast, according to a news release from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office.
A resident reportedly heard the collision from their home and found the motorcyclist down and unresponsive. First responders pronounced the man dead at the scene.
The witness told deputies that the driver of the other involved vehicle fled south on Bald Hill Road after getting into a different vehicle, according to the news release.
The release alleges another driver picked up the suspect up at the scene. They left behind a damaged Volkswagen Golf.
Deputies believe the Golf driver crossed the center line while entering a curve, entered the northbound lane and struck the motorcycle, according to the news release.
The Sheriff's Office was still trying to identify the Golf driver and the person who allegedly picked them up on Wednesday.
Anyone with information about the incident or the people involved can send tips to detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.
Sheriff Derek Sanders commented on the "sad news" on his Facebook page. He said this incident followed a recent trend of collisions in the area.
A 34-year-old Tacoma woman died Saturday in a two-vehicle wreck on the 15600 block of Bald Hill Road, The Olympian previously reported.
In response, he said deputies will conduct emphasis patrols for aggressive and impaired driving through the weekend. These patrols will focus on Bald Hill Road and the great Vail Road area, he added.
"Please drive sober and be courteous to other drivers around you," Sanders said.
