Community Mourns Loss of Beloved Biker ‘Fish Hook’ After Fatal DUI Crash in Puyallup
PUYALLUP, Wash. — A tight-knit community of bikers and friends across Pierce County is grieving the tragic and untimely loss of one of their own. Dean Smith, lovingly known as “Fish Hook,” was killed Sunday evening in a suspected DUI crash in the South Hill area of Puyallup. He was 52 years old.
The accident, which occurred just before 5:30 p.m., has left a hole in the hearts of those who knew Smith. Dozens of bikers from various clubs gathered Monday at a Spanaway pub to honor his memory and celebrate the life of a man many say had “a heart of gold.”
“These people are here because they didn’t just know Fish Hook, they loved him,” said Ryan Eaton, a close friend. “He was bigger than life.”
A Tragic Crash
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, a 42-year-old woman was driving recklessly and under the influence when she veered into oncoming traffic. Smith and his wife were riding on separate motorcycles at the time of the crash. The woman struck Smith head-on, fatally injuring him. His wife was grazed by the vehicle but did not require hospitalization.
The suspect continued driving for another 100 yards after the collision, plowing through street signs and hitting a fire hydrant before finally coming to a stop. She was arrested at the scene and booked into jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide. She was reportedly uninjured.
A Life of Service and Brotherhood
Smith was more than a beloved biker; he was a veteran and a passionate advocate for military causes, particularly in support of efforts to combat veteran suicide. Known for wearing an American flag helmet and flying a flag on his motorcycle, he never shied away from showing his pride for the country he served.
“Memorial Day meant something real to him,” Eaton said. “He loved this country, and he loved giving back.”
Jeff Davis, a friend of Smith’s for more than 15 years, shared that the couple had just left their home and were heading out for dinner when tragedy struck. “You’ll never meet another one like him,” Davis said. “It’s a shame someone’s poor decisions robbed the world of someone like that.”
Remembering ‘Fish Hook’
Friends and family described Smith as a joyful, dependable, and deeply caring man—the type of person you could always count on, no matter the situation. He had a sense of humor, a contagious laugh, and a genuine love for life and the people in it.
“He always would tell me, ‘I hope you understand how much I love you,’” Eaton recalled. “And I hope he understood how much I loved him.”
Eaton shared that Smith had been riding his favorite motorcycle that day—a kick-start-only bike that held special meaning to him. “I wish it would’ve taken a few more kicks to start that day,” he said. “Maybe then, he wouldn’t have been there when it happened.”
A Legacy That Won’t Be Forgotten
As the community gathers to mourn, honor, and remember Dean “Fish Hook” Smith, the loss feels deeply personal to everyone he touched. He wasn’t just a biker or a veteran—he was a brother, a friend, a husband, and a man who made life brighter for everyone around him.
The biker community has vowed to keep his memory alive and continue the causes he held dear.
A memorial ride in Smith’s honor is being planned in the coming days, and his loved ones are urging others to remember him not just for the tragedy, but for the incredible life he lived and the love he gave.
Rest in peace, Fish Hook. You rode with pride, you served with honor, and you loved with your whole heart. 🕊️
