Covington man, 19, dies in SR 18 motorcycle/semi crash
Published 12:16 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2026
A 19-year-old Covington man was killed in a motorcycle collision with a semitruck on June 16 at 5:43 p.m. on westbound State Route 18.
Ashton S. Sawyer was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). He was riding an Aprilia RSV4 motorcycle that was totaled in the crash, which occurred near Tiger Mountain and east of Raging River.
Authorities reported that a Volvo semitruck was traveling in lane one of two when the motorcycle rear-ended it. The driver of the truck was unharmed and wearing a seat belt at the time of the incident.
The highway was closed for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes while emergency responders managed the scene. Witnesses noted that Sawyer was wearing a helmet.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not confirmed whether drugs or alcohol were factors.