The King County Sheriff’s Department says that an early-morning crash in White Center took the life of a 23 year-old Des Moines man, who was killed when his car left the roadway and struck a tree.
He died shortly after he was taken to Harborview Medical Center.
The incident happened about 1:15am Thursday morning (June 10), and witnesses reported seeing the man leave the Mt. View Elementary School parking lot at a high rate of speed. The school is located in White Center at SW 108th and 12th Ave SW.
When the vehicle got to the 800 block of SW 108th it crossed over into the westbound lane, where it struck a raised curb and a large tree. The collision caused massive damage to the left front of the car, a 1995 Ford Explorer.
No other vehicles were involved in the collision, and the man’s identity has not yet been released.
Detectives believe alcohol was a contributing factor.
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Jeff Kearney, the mentally-challenged man who was the victim of a hit-and-run last November in White Center (read our previous coverage here), will be honored by the city of Burien on Monday, May 3rd at 7pm for his endless hours of service to the city and his survival despite the odds.
After being struck in a crosswalk at 16th SW and SW 106th, Kearney went in to a temporary coma, suffering from brain trauma, multiple broken bones and other injuries. His recovery slowly continues over the months as he fights to re-learn to walk and perform basic daily functions.
Kearney has worked for years as part of Burien Team Clean Sweep, which is part of the nonprofit Discover Burien Association, keeping the city free of debris and trash. A familiar face around Burien and White Center, he has volunteered untold hours at community events, ranging from the Father’s Day Car Show to Winterfest. Kearney also helped out by regularly performing a variety of tasks at Burien’s Farmers Market as well.
The special needs 37-year-old will be honored with an official city proclamation during the Burien City Council meeting on May 3rd. The meeting will start at 7pm in the council chambers on the first floor of the joint Burien City Hall and Burien Public Library building at 400 S.W. 152nd St., Burien.
Sadly, the hit-and-run driver is still at large. Discover Burien is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the responsible person. Anyone having information should contact the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311 or 911.
The suspect vehicle had damage to the left front fender, and lost its driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror at the scene. It is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:
- GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
- Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
- Suburban: 1992-1999
- GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999
If you recognize the suspect vehicle or have any leads, please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
A high-speed, one-car accident sent a car flying into a tree and closed the s-curve of Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien near Salmon Creek Monday night.
BTB Reporter Gina Bourdage, who was on scene shortly after the crash, reports that a red Dodge sedan traveling at high speeds struck a jersey barrier on the west side of Ambaum near SW 118th. According to police, the car then flew “Dukes of Hazzard”-style up in the air, high enough (initial reports are 20-25 feet) to clear a speed limit sign. After flying for 80-100 feet, the car struck a tree and landed, leaving its hood stuck in the tree.
A male and female passenger were taken by ambulance to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Their identities and condition is not known at this time.
Police have shut down Ambaum Blvd. SW between SW 128th and SW 116th for at least three more hours, until at least midnight.
The cause of the crash is not known, and investigators were still on the scene at 10pm Monday.
Here are photos shot at the scene by Jack Tucci:
A hit-and-run rampage happened Monday night around 7:45pm in White Center when a van struck at least four different vehicles before fleeing to Burien.
The crime occurred at the intersection of 4th Ave SW and SW Roxbury before the driver drove off and later abandoned his van in Burien.
According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department:
There was a H & R accident at 4th & Roxbury last night about 7:45 PM.
The driver of the other car was taken to Harborview with non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect vehicle took off striking a car, (causing considerable damage) at Olson & Myers Way, then continuing southbound.
My understanding is that other cars were hit as well as it drove on.
The suspect car finally pulled into a random driveway at SW 130th and 8th Ave South.
The driver and two passengers fled on foot and could not be located, even with a K-9 dog.
The suspect vehicle was a 2000 Toyota Siena.
The hit and run driver is still at large, and the reasoning for the crime is still undetermined.
UPDATE Thursday 2/4/10: We just received word from Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department that the driver of the smashed-up Kia (pictured, left) involved in Wednesday’s 3-car crash at the intersection of First Ave South and SW 112th has died at Harborview Medical Center.
He was a 49 year-old Burien man, and his identity has not yet been released by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Click here to read our previous coverage, including photos shot at the scene.
A major three-car, high speed accident closed the intersection of First Ave South and SW 112th early Wednesday morning (Feb. 3rd).
According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department, the accident occurred around 6:45am when two cars (a Kia and a white Toyota pickup truck) were stopped at a red light in front of The Barrel Tavern.
Soon, a red Chevrolet pickup barreled into both of them, nearly destroying the small Kia (see photo slideshow below). The Chevy truck ended up over an embankment in a neighboring house’s backyard.
The driver of the Kia was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. It appeared that the airbags in the Kia had deployed, and scattered amongst the crash debris was a hat and an iron.
The other two drivers and a passenger from the Kia were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, or for observation.
Scott Schaefer was on scene around 8:45am to take these photos, as Investigators worked amidst the strewn crash debris at the closed intersection:
Here’s a video report from KING5.com:
Jeff Kearney, the well-known mentally-challenged man who was the victim of a hit-and-run on Nov. 17th in White Center (read our previous coverage here) has been moved to Burien Nursing & Rehabilitation.
Jeff was moved from Highline’s Specialty Campus in Tukwila to Burien Rehab just before Christmas.
Discover Burien’s Debra George says:
They are working on getting him walking and moving his right side better.
He is beginning to eat on his own some.
And Burien Rehab’s Nate Neff adds:
Jeff is here and we are happy to have him.
Jeff arrived just before Christmas on Dec. 23. and has adjusted to Burien Rehab and this new setting.
He is currently making gradual improvements and participates in physical and occupational therapy daily.
The therapy team is working on Jeff’s ability to stand as well as his hand eye coordination.
Jeff continues to progress and we enjoy having him here.
Here’s a pic of Jeff courtesy Burien Rehab – check out his groovy goatee!:
Far as we know, the hit-and-run driver is still at large, there is still a $1,000 reward, and the investigation is continuing.
The suspect vehicle had damage to the left front fender, and lost its driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror at the scene. It is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:
- GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
- Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
- Suburban: 1992-1999
- GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999
If you recognize the suspect vehicle or have any leads, please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
And if you wish to visit Jeff or send him your wishes, feel free to contact Burien Nursing & Rehab at 206-242-3213 or email admissions@burienrehab.com.
A King County Sheriff’s deputy who was speeding toward a burglary call in White Center was seriously injured in a rollover crash early Friday morning as he lost control of his vehicle on Des Moines Memorial Way near 17th Place South.
According to the report, the officer was racing to a burglary call around 2:15am when he lost control of the car and rolled down a 20-foot embankment in the 10000 block of Des Moines Memorial Way. When the deputy’s car went off the roadway it took down a part of a cyclone fence along the edge of the sidewalk. One of the fence rails went through the vehicle windshield and impaled the shoulder harness the deputy was wearing. The harness ended up around the deputy’s neck and he was unconscious when found.
The deputy, age 30, has been with the Sheriff’s Office, working for the city of Burien for just over 1½ years. His identity has not yet been released.
Three residents nearby ran to the accident after hearing the crash, and a passing deputy in route to the same White Center call stopped. They were able to pull out the smashed windshield and pole, likely saving the life of the deputy.
It took the fire department about ½ hour to extradite the deputy from his vehicle, and they had to cut off the top of the car to do so. He was taken to Harborview Hospital and is in serious but stable condition.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
1/6/09 9pm UPDATE: We just communicated with Faraz Lakhani, the victim of Tuesday afternoon’s hit and run, who reports that the suspect was captured within the hour by police (it doesn’t help to have your license plate fall off).
Faraz, who works at the Subway sandwich shop on 16th SW, sent us the following first-hand report:
I am really thankful to have walked out from the sunroof of my car unscathed except for a minuscule cut on my hand. It sure was my lucky day today – ‘cos the accident looks like the driver would have been hurt much worse.
The police did find the hit and run driver within the hour. He was a 72 year old man with a suspended drivers license and no insurance
I decided not to prosecute and they will just be charging him for driving without a license.
I was just really shaken as my car flew and rolled before it landed on its side.
The car is going to be a total loss but I have reason to be thankful I came away unhurt!
I really appreciate your efforts to help get the hit and run driver.
PREVIOUSLY: At approximately 2:25pm Tuesday afternoon (1/6/09), our intrepid “on-the-street” Reporters Mark Neuman and Bart Bryan witnessed the immediate aftermath of a hit and run accident at the intersection of SW 104th and 16th Ave SW in White Center.
The BMW on its side above was headed northbound on 16th when it was t-boned on the driver’s side, knocking it onto its side, by a black Hyundai Accent, Washington license plate #735 VJT, which left the scene, classifying it as a definite hit and run.
Below are more photos taken at the scene, including the license plate, which fell off the suspect’s vehicle and was discovered by Neuman and Bryan.
If you have any information on this car or its owner, you are encouraged to call the King County Sheriff’s office immediately at (206) 296-3333 or 296-3323.
The opening of Sea-Tac’s third runway has inspired a lot of discussion, both good and bad, and our sister site The B-Town Blog is commemorating something that happened on the original runway 61 years ago today (Nov. 30, 1947) – a tragic airplane crash that killed nine and injured 17.
We took this photo a few months ago when we were first doing mockups of this here White Center Blog, found it again and thought it was worth posting – this was a memorial, perhaps for a fallen motorcyclist, that was set up near a crosswalk island on 16th Ave SW near SW 104th:
Found makeshift memorial for fallen motorcyclist in White Center.
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