Collision in Federal Way kills Auburn bicyclist

Matthew R. Christopher, 33, died at St. Joseph Medical Center after a vehicle struck his bicycle on eastbound State Route 18.

A 33-year-old Auburn man died in a fatal bicycle-vehicle collision in Federal Way on Nov. 7.

According to the Washington State Patrol, Auburn resident Matthew R. Christopher, 33, died at St. Joseph Medical Center after a vehicle struck his bicycle on eastbound State Route 18.

The driver, a 63-year-old Tacoma man, faces no charges in the incident.

The Washington State Patrol identified the cause of the accident as the bicyclist riding the wrong way.

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According to the state patrol, riding westbound in the eastbound lanes of State Route 18 and approaching Interstate 5 on the right shoulder, the bicyclist attempted to cross from the right shoulder to the gore point between the on-ramp and main line when the vehicle struck him as it attempted to merge onto eastbound State Route 18 after exiting.

The bicyclist arrived at a stop in lane two of three. The vehicle arrived at a stop on the left shoulder.

The collision resulted in three hours and 38 minutes of roadway blockages, according to state patrol.