by We love to share good news here at The B-Town Blog, and that’s why we’re posting this update on 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).
Jeff was recently discharged from Burien Nursing and Rehab, where he had been staying for the last several weeks after spending time at both Harborview and Highline Medical Center.
He is now recuperating at his home, and Burien Rehab Director Nate Neff sent us this email update:
Scott –
I just wanted to give you a quick update.
Jeff Kearney went home yesterday.
He had been wanting to go home for several days and had been vocalizing it. He has made quite the journey from his tragic accident. While here his feeding tube was removed and he began eating on his own, his cognition cleared up and he was able to clearly speak his needs and wants. Also, his strength increased greatly and he became able to propel himself in his wheelchair. He is still planning on getting some more rehab at home but Jeff was ready to go home.
We wish him the best of luck and are grateful for the opportunity to care for him.
- Nate
Hit and run victim Jeff Kearney at the Mark Restaurant Feb. 12th.
On Friday (Feb. 12th), we caught up with Jeff in person at the Mark Restaurant and Bar, where we found him enjoying a Roy Rogers drink, courtesy his good friend and Discover Burien Events Supervisor Debra George.
Jeff sat at a table near the bar, with his protective helmet sitting in a chair nearby.
We spoke with him for a few moments, mostly small talk, and noticed that his old, familiar smile was still there. We asked him how he was feeling, what he was doing, and his face lit up on the occasions we mentioned various Burien-based women and the hugs he associates with them. While a bit slow to respond, Jeff seemed keenly intent on resuming his friendly relationships with many locals, and it was an uplifting experience to see, especially considering how terribly he was struck and injured (reports say the SUV/truck that hit him was going around 35mph).
Debra George reminded us though that he still needs help walking, but is getting stronger with each day.
This man has come a long way, but he still has a way to go, and we wish him the best. We have a feeling that by the time the Farmer’s Market opens again in May that he’ll be back to his old self.
Sadly, the hit-and-run driver is apparently still at large. A $1,000 reward remains in effect, and the investigation is continuing.
The suspect vehicle, which struck Jeff in a crosswalk on 16th SW and SW 106th in White Center, 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 Debra George at the Mark Restaurant at (206) 241-MARK.
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 in Seattle.
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:
Early Saturday morning (Jan. 23rd) a Metro bus driver, 56, was assaulted in Tukwila, receiving injuries that sent her to Valley Medical Center. Three persons were later arrested, one for the assault and two for vandalizing the bus.
And as police were converging on the scene, a King County Sheriff’s police cruiser crashed into one from a Tukwila Police officer. The Tukwila officer was treated at the scene, while the Sheriff’s deputy was taken to Valley Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
The incident occurred just after midnight, when the Metro Route 124 bus stopped in Tukwila at South 144th and International Blvd. to let passengers off. A group of seven or eight youths gathered at the back door but only two got off before the doors closed. At least some of the group went to the front of the bus and the driver was punched in the head several times, knocking her unconscious.
Meanwhile two suspects kicked and hit the rear door of the vehicle, breaking glass and bending the door frame. All suspects then ran off.
A Tukwila Police K-9 dog tracked the group to a house in the 13700 block of 45th Ave South. Eight people were detained. Eventually witnesses from the bus identified three people who were directly involved in the altercation. They were arrested.
All three were booked into the Youth Center, including a 15 year-old boy from Renton, for felony assault. Two males were booked for felony vandalism, ages 16 and 17, from Tukwila and Kent, respectively.
A passenger called 9-1-1 from the bus after the assault, and as two police cars came to the scene, they crashed into each other.
Just spoke with Debra George, who had a chance Tuesday to visit Jeff Kearney, the well-known, mentally-challenged man who was struck by a hit and run driver last Tuesday (Nov. 17th) in White Center.
“I feel very positive after seeing him,” Debra said late Tuesday morning. “I saw him move his shoulder and grimace in pain at one point, which is a great sign actually – it shows that he is responsive, which is a relief. And as I was leaving, I said out loud: ‘Okay Jeff, I’m going now, so you’d better give me a hug!’ and he actually moved his shoulders.”
Debra gave us more details on Jeff’s current condition:
- He’s still in Intensive Care at Harborview in serious condition.
- He’s been taken off the drug-induced coma but has not yet awakened.
- However, he has shown movement in both his arms and legs, which is a good sign.
- He’s currently on a respirator because he has contracted pneumonia since being admitted.
- He has fractures in his pelvis and hip, as well as severe injuries to his jaw, which may actually be broken.
As we reported last week, Kearney, 36, well-known in Burien as part of “Team Clean Sweep,” was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th in White Center on Tuesday, Nov. 17th around 5:20pm when a vehicle heading southbound on 16th struck him.
Jeff’s legal guardian, Mike Lindorff, apparently didn’t know about the accident until around 8:30pm that night, when he began to get worried that Jeff hadn’t yet returned home. Apparently Jeff was not wearing his usual ID dog tags when he was hit, so he was admitted to Harborview as an unidentified “John Doe” until Mike found out what happened.
Debra spoke to a nurse at Harborview, who told her it could “take a week” or so before Jeff wakes up on his own and gives them a chance to fully analyze his condition.
Jeff’s 37th birthday just happens to be this Saturday, Nov. 28th, and anyone who wishes to send gifts or cards should drop them off at The Mark Restaurant, located at 918 SW 152nd in Olde Burien before closing time Friday night (Nov. 27th); Debra George will then personally deliver them to Jeff.
According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department,”we have not located the suspect vehicle or driver. We still want tips from the public. The vehicle has damage that is specific and significant enough that someone should recognize it.”
Police are still looking for a maroon-colored Chevrolet or GMC SUV/truck that’s missing an exterior side rear-view mirror (and possibly has other front-end damage), 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 anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
We here at The B-Town Blog continue to send positive vibes and prayers to Jeff. We are all feeling more positive after speaking with Debra, and are currently visualizing a huge “Welcome Back” party to celebrate a healthy and full recovery for him soon, where we’ll all hug him and tell him how our spouses, children, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers are doing.
The King County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday morning (Nov. 19th) that they need help in finding the vehicle that struck and critically injured Jeff Kearney, who was struck in a White Center crosswalk on Tuesday.
Kearney, 36, well-known in Burien as part of “Team Clean Sweep,” was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th. The suspect vehicle was southbound on 16th when it struck him. The vehicle slowed but did not stop and was last seen driving off southbound on 16th.
Kearney was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition, where he remains.
According to police, a driver’s side exterior mirror was found at the scene. There will also be damage to the left front fender.
The vehicle 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 anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
PREVIOUSLY:
Sad news for Burien – a hit and run accident late Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 17th) on 16th SW in White Center has put Jeff Kearney (pictured, left) in critical condition in a medically-induced coma in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Jeff is known to most everyone in Burien as a huge part of “Team Clean Sweep,” and you’ve probably seen him or talked to him at one of the city’s many local events over the last several years. Despite being mentally-challenged, he is a very happy, gregarious, kind and hard-working 36-year old who seemingly knows everyone in town (especially the ladies).
On a personal note, we would often see Jeff at the weekly Farmer’s Market, and he’d always ask us how we were doing, where Janet was, how our parents were, how our spouses were and more, and we thoroughly enjoyed his company.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, the hit and run happened around 5:33pm Tuesday (Nov. 17th), when Jeff was crossing a marked crosswalk in White Center. The suspect vehicle was driving southbound on 16th SW at around 35mph, and struck him while he was still in the crosswalk, throwing Jeff some 30 feet. The vehicle, identified as a black SUV or truck, slowed down, then took off southbound on 16th. Reports are that an external side rear-view mirror fell off the vehicle. The driver is still at large.
Jeff Kearney, left, with Debra George.
“Jeff’s in a medically-induced coma right now,” said Mike Lindorff, his legal guardian and uncle. “He’s got minor fractures on his back and face, but the most concerning thing right now is that he has bleeding on the brain. They have drilled a hole in his head and are trying to reduce pressure so they can wake him up, and they won’t know if he has brain damage until then.”
Everyone here at The B-Town Blog, especially the ladies who were all well-known by him, send our hopes, prayers and meditations to our friend Jeff Kearney for a full and speedy recovery.
We ask also that our Readers take a moment to look at Jeff’s photo and send positive vibes his way.
Also, according to Debra George, who worked closely with Jeff:
“If you’d like to drop anything off you can drop it off at the Mark Restaurant & Bar (918 SW 152nd Street) and I will make sure it gets to him as soon as he is out of ICU.
Thank you for your kindness.”
On another note, we hope that the police catch the hit and run driver and that justice is fully served.
If you have any information on a suspect black SUV or truck that is missing a side rear-view mirror, please call 911 immediately.
The Washington State Patrol is looking for witnesses to Wednesday morning’s fatal multiple car accident on I-5 in the southbound lanes of I-5 in Tukwila near SR-518.
The fatality was a 43-year old Seattleite who was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser without a seatbelt. A passenger in a Toyota Camry was treated for minor injuries at the scene, while others involved were not injured.
Most of southbound I-5 was closed during the morning rush hour while police and detectives investigated the scene.
If you saw the accident, you are urged to call 425-401-7719 as soon as possible.
According to The Seattle P-I, John Simmons, 22, has had charges of vehicular assault filed against him for losing control of his car and striking a woman and her three children (including twins in a stroller) at the intersection of SW 150th and 4th Ave SW in Burien on Aug. 30th.
Prosecutors contend that Simmons, from Tukwila, was driving drunk at 6:10pm on Aug. 30 when he allegedly lost control of his vehicle, skidded across oncoming traffic and up onto a sidewalk, where he struck a 31-year-old woman, her 7-year-old daughter and 11-month-old twins in a stroller.
According to Deputy Prosecutor Amy Freedheim, the woman and her youngest children suffered cuts and soft-tissue damage, and the 7-year-old girl’s leg was broken and required surgery.
After striking the family, Simmons apparently drove back onto the street and grazed a building before striking a utility pole and stopping. His car crashed, Simmons apparently then tried to flee the scene on foot but was tackled by a bystander and restrained until the cops arrived.
Simmons was charged earlier this month with vehicular assault and felony hit and run. He was booked into King County Jail following the crash and is currently being held on $25,000 bail.
Read the full story here.
Saturday night (6/20) around 6:15pm, BTB Reader John Montoya reports that there was a rollover accident at the intersection of SW 128th & 4th Ave South between a silver Honda vehicle and a black SUV Tiberon.
Police and aid cars on the scene reported minor injuries.
The male driver of the SUV suffered two broken wrists related to air bag deployment. He was transported to Highline Hospital for treatment.
All passengers involved were wearing seatbelts.
A King County Sheriff’s deputy assigned to the city of Burien was seriously injured in a rollover crash early Friday morning as he was speeding along Des Moines Memorial Way near 17th Place South.
According to the report, the officer was racing to a burglary call in White Center around 2:15am when he lost control of the vehicle 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 the 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 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.
by The Burien City Council imposed on Monday (May 11th) strict “alcohol-related conditions” with which City Manager Mike Martin must “comply fully” if he is to retain that position. Martin is scheduled to be arraigned in King County District Court Friday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The conditions are included in an amendment to Martin’s contract (download and view PDF here), which was approved without discussion with a 6-1 vote by city lawmakers. Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak, who publicly called for Martin’s ouster following his arrest for allegedly driving under the influence, cast the dissenting vote. She also cast the lone vote against Martin when the council hired him as city manager in January 2007.
Here’s a portion of the amended contract – click to view the entire document:
(click to view entire contract)
Martin, 55, was arrested after a minor traffic accident on April 19 in which his car left the road and hit a yard planter. The King County Sheriff’s deputy who made the arrest said Martin’s breath smelled of alcohol at the time. He was formally charged with DUI by the King County Prosecutor’s office on May 6th.
Martin, who told the deputy that he had had a couple of glasses of wine and two beers, refused to perform field sobriety tests or take a Breathalyzer test when he was arrested. As a result, his driver’s license was suspended when formal DUI charges were filed, as required by state law.
Refusal to take a Breathalyzer test results in the automatic suspension of a driver’s license for one year, although motorists may seek reinstatement of driving privileges if they have an alcohol-ignition interlock device – which prevents an engine from starting if they have been drinking alcohol – installed in their vehicle. 
In agreeing to the addition of alcohol-related conditions to his contract, Martin denied committing “any wrongful or criminal act,” but acknowledged “that the facts and circumstances of his arrest may constitute ‘cause’ to terminate his employment under the Orginal Agreement.”
The council, in turn, recognized “the excellent performance” of Martin over the past 2½ years and opted to retain him as city manager if he agreed to the additional conditions. Burien Mayor Joan McGilton and Martin signed the amended contract on Monday.
Under the terms of Martin’s amended contract, he “will not report to work at the city or remain at work or on duty while under the influence of alcohol,” which is defined as a blood alcohol level of .02 percent or above.
Martin is required to submit to random alcohol testing without prior notice to ensure compliance with this condition. In addition, he is to submit to alcohol testing at the request of the mayor (or deputy mayor in the mayor’s absence) and one other council member if there is a good-faith “articulated suspicion by any person that the manager has reported to work or remained at work under the influence of alcohol.”
He also must apply for and install at his own expense an ignition-interlock device on any vehicle that he drives to or from work or while on the job. Each interlock device is to remain in use for two years.
And Martin is required to undergo alcohol assessment and “comply with any treatment recommendations” that are made.
He is to meet quarterly with council members in executive session “to affirm his compliance” with all conditions. Failure to comply with any of them will result in his termination. In two years, the council will review with him the additional requirements to determine if they still are needed.
In October 2005, Martin resigned from a top administrative position with the City of Kent after a hit-and-run accident that he admitted to causing. He paid a $1,025 fine, underwent alcohol-abuse assessment, and attended a victim-impact alcohol and drug panel for that incident.
On April 19th, after Martin was arrested, he was driven home by a sheriff’s deputy – prompting some citizens to ask The B-Town Blog if the city manager had received preferential treatment.
But the answer, according to several law enforcement agencies, is no.
Washington State Patrol public information officer Daniel Coon said how motorists arrested for DUI are handled depends on each county. If a county can take an individual into its jail, they may be booked into the facility. But “if there is no room at the inn, so to speak,” a driver may be released after the car is impounded and taken to a location where they can sober up. This sometimes involves taking the driver home.
Here’s a video that explains how ignition-interlock devices work:
So…what do YOU think? Please take our poll below:
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Photos and Story by Gina Bourdage
About 4:30pm Tuesday, a three vehicle injury accident occurred on the corner of Ambaum Boulevard and SW 130th Street blocking all through traffic.
Involved was a early 2000’s white pickup truck, a professional roofing truck (Diamond Roofing) and a newer black sedan.
Burien police were on the scene to detour traffic. The fire department was called in to clean up chemicals leaking from both the pickup and the professional roofing vehicle.
Police said they will investigate the cause of the collision and that one man (the driver of the white pickup) was taken to the hospital for injuries.
The cause appears to be high rate of speed and a illegal turn, however officials were not able to confirm.
View Larger Map
Robin Dunkle of BTB Advertiser Howard and Marge Clothing (who recently spearheaded a meal drive) just sent us the following update on Jason Sanders of “The Bean” espresso, who broke his pelvis in a head-on collision in California in late December:
Our “MAN” Jason Sander’s from The Bean Espresso is doing great!
He is recovering nicely.
His Dr. gave the a-okay to use his walker and he is not required to use his wheelchair unless he needs to.
His pelvis had several fractures and now he is told by the Dr. he is about 90% healed on right side and 25% on left.
You can’t keep Jason down – he is in great spirits and very appreciative to all who have contributed to his aid in recovery.
Robin also reminds us that Howard and Marge is having a special Valentine’s Bash Party & Trunk Show this Thursday night (Feb. 12th) from 5pm-9pm, featuring:
- Valentine Treats
- Delicious Bites
- Drinks & Bubbly
- Raffle for an awesome Valentine’s Gift Bag filled with unbelievable Goodies and Surprises. Raffle will be called @ 7:30pm, and you must be present to win.
- Girls, bring your Guys! The guys will enjoy shopping our unique selection of men’s threads 25% – 50% off while getting Valentine Gift ideas for their Ladies!
All of us here at the B-Town Blog send our positive, healing thoughts to Jason, who we hope to see soon back at The Bean!
A taxi driver was killed early Wednesday morning around 4:15am in a 6-car crash blamed on ice on SR-509 near SW 128th Street in Burien.
According to authorities, the driver lost control and spun out while traveling northbound on 509. He apparently then got out of his vehicle and was struck by two other drivers. He died on the scene, and his identity has not yet been released.
Police closed down the northbound lanes and diverted traffic off to the SW 128th exit while they investigated the scene.
Another person was trapped in one of the crashed cars and was critically injured.
Police advise drivers to proceed with extreme caution this morning, as freezing overnight temps have created icy driving conditions, especially on overpasses.
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: From our sister site The White Center Blog comes this breaking news report:
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 by a black Hyndai Accent, knocking it onto its side.
The license plate of the suspect hit and run vehicle is Washington plate #735 VJT (see photo below).
Below are more pictures taken at the scene, including the dented license plate, which fell off the suspect’s vehicle and was discovered by Neuman and Bryan.
The suspect remains at large, so 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.
Jason Sanders, 42, of Burien’s “The Bean,” an espresso stand across the street from BTB Advertiser Howard & Marge, as well as the Seahurst Post Office (see map below), was “moderately” injured in a head-on car collision last Saturday, Dec. 26th.
According to the folks at The Bean, Jason was apparently driving from his Mother’s home in Mendocino, CA on Highway 101 when a vehicle crossed the center line and hit the passenger side of his car. While not a direct head-on collision, it was so serious that a passenger in the other vehicle had to be extricated by fire fighters.
Jason suffered a broken pelvis, some lacerations, but otherwise no head trauma. He is currently recovering at the University of California, Davis Hospital in Sacramento.
Co-workers at The Bean say he’ll probably be back on the job, in crutches, within a few weeks. They also say that since he’s a veteran, it’s likely that he has health insurance.
Here’s a snippet from the Ukiah Daily Journal, a local paper that reported on the accident:
A south-bound motorist on a northern Mendocino County stretch of Highway 101 collided head-on with an oncoming car about 2:56 p.m. Saturday.
A woman and two men involved in the collision wore seat belts and alcohol is believed to have not been a factor, a report from California Highway Patrol’s Garberville office stated.
Adam T. Wyndham, 29, of Albany, drove just north of Bridges Creek when he crossed the yellow center lines and collided with 42-year-old Jason Reno Sanders of Burien, Wash., CHP stated.
According to CHP, driving conditions that afternoon were wet and raining.
Wyndham’s passenger, Sherrezada Kent, 29, of Albany, sustained major injuries. CHP stated Kent was pinned in the front passenger seat of a 2005 Ford driven by Wyndham. Then a lengthy extrication, CHP stated, was needed to get her out of the vehicle.
Wyndham sustained minor injuries and Sanders sustained moderate injuries in Saturday’s accident. No arrests were made.
Wyndham, Kent and Sanders all were taken to Jerold Phelps Hospital across the Mendocino and Humboldt County line in Garberville.
Everyone here at The B-Town Blog sends their sincere “best wishes for a speedy recovery” to Jason, his family, friends and co-workers.
We’ll update this story as we receive more information.
61 years ago today – Nov. 30, 1947, at around 2:25pm – an Alaska Airlines airplane with 25 passengers and three crewmembers on board crashed while trying to land at Sea-Tac Airport, killing nine and injuring 17.
One of the dead was Stella Pearl Jones, 44, a blind passenger in a car struck by the airplane on Des Moines Road (now Des Moines Memorial Way) near 180th:
Crash victim Virginia Stitsworth, 33, was also known as "Virginia Grafton."
Another victim was Mrs. Virginia Stitsworth, 33, an entertainer whose stagename was “Virginia Grafton” (her field of entertainment is unknown).
Most people who remember this tragic incident have either passed away, or perhaps their memories have faded. However, that does not diminish the impact of such a terrible crash that took the lives of nine, which, if it happened today, would surely be a major news event.
The doomed flight had many problems en route to Sea-Tac, including two days’ delay in Alaska for bad weather and mechanical problems. Once in Seattle, heavy fog obscured the landing strips at both Paine and Boeing Fields. The unsuccessful landing at Sea-Tac was the third attempt to land under poor visibility, and one can’t help but imagine the potential worry its passengers may have been going through at the time.
The four-engine Alaska Airlines craft, a Douglas C 54-A, descended from the northeast, then (according to some reports) touched down 2,748 feet beyond the approach area to Runway 20. It then careened over an embankment onto Des Moines Road, where it collided with an automobile, killing a female passenger. It then burst into flames as passengers tried to escape.
Six persons were dead at the scene and three more died in the hospital. The victims included:
Virginia Stitsworth, 33, aka Virginia Grafton, Seattle- Jonas E. Johnson, 44, Palmer, Alaska
- Gordon Johnson, 21 months, Palmer, Alaska
- Stella Pearl Jones, 44, Seattle, passenger in an automobile struck by the airliner
- Leslie Howe, 33, Spokane
- Fred Smith, 20, Tacoma
- Olie Raing, Anchorage
- Reba Monk, 22, Stewardess, Seattle; Monk was burned while leading passengers to safety through the flames
An investigation by the Civil Aeronautics Board found that the pilot approached the runway too high and was not correctly lined up for proper landing.
The pilot, who survived, was assessed a penalty of $1,000 for violations of Civil Air Regulations.
Here’s text taken directly from the archives of the Daily Sitka Sentinel Alaska, dated Dec. 1, 1947:
ALASKA PLANE CRASHES AT SEATTLE.
BRAKES FAIL CAUSING PLANE TO JUMP BANK.
Seattle (AP) — The pilot of a four engined Alaska Airlines transport plane which crashed and burned at the Seattle-Tacoma airport blamed the crash today on failure of the hydraulic brake to “take the slightest hold.”
Eight passengers died and three others were critically injured as a result of the accident late yesterday.
The pilot Capt. JAMES E. FERRIS, 37, of Seattle, told the Seattle Times that the DC-4 plane landed at a speed of approximately 100 miles an hour, rolled like “it was on a bed of ball bearings” until it leaped a 60 foot embankment at the end of the airport runway. It crashed into an automobile on the highway below, killing a blind woman in the car.
The plane was flying from Anchorage to Seattle. It had 28 persons aboard, 25 passengers and a crew of three.
Three passengers were reported in critical condition at the New Renton hospital and two were listed as unsatisfactory at Harborview County hospital.
The others had been released after treatment or were recovering from minor burns and bruises in the hospital.
Twenty-six of the 28 aboard the big plane scrambled from door and emergency exits or were pulled from the flames by rescuers. All, however, were seared by the gasoline fed flames that flashed through the fuselage. Four of the rescued died later.
The latest casualty was the plane’s stewardess, MISS REBA MONK, of Santa Monica, Calif., who was credited by survivors with having led many of the passengers to safety.
The other dead are:
- MRS. VIRGINIA STITSWORTH, 33, Tacoma, entertainer known professionally as VIRGINIA GRAFATON.
- GORDON JOHNSON, 21-month-old son of MR. and MRS. J. E. JOHNSON, of Palmer, Alaska.
- The list of dead climbed to eight when 44 year old JONAS E. JOHNSON, of Palmer, died of burns. His 21-month-old son, GORDON, died in the plane wreckage yesterday. MRS. JOHNSON was released from a hospital after treatment for burns.
- MRS. PEARL STELLA JONES, 43, Seattle, blind woman trapped in the car which the big transport smashed as it careened off the field onto the intersection of the Des Moines highway and 158th St.
- LESLIE HOWE, listed of Seattle and Spakane, died in hospital.
- OLE RIUG, Anchorage, died in hospital.
- REBA MONK, Santa Monica, died in hospital.
- FRED SMITH, Tacoma, died in hospital.
The injured crew members:
- Capt. JAMES E. FARRIS, Seattle, the pilot; formerly a Matson line pilot, San Francisco; injuries not serious.
RICHARD F. WHITTING, co-pilot Anchorage; fractured arm, burns, possible internal injuries.The passengers injured:
- ANE PLEYM, Los Angeles.
- MRS. LESLIE HOWE.
- WILLIAM RANDALL, Nenane, (also listed as OLIVER RINDAHL); critical.
- MARY B. KELLY, Seattle; condition unsatisfactory with neck and back injuries.
- JOHN A. LATHANAN, JR., Fairbanks; critical.
- MRS. LATHANAN, treated and released.
- MRS. J. K. (CHRISTINE) TRASS, Seattle.
- H. M. KOCH, Snohomish, Wash.
- MRS. FLORA HUNTER, Anchorage.
- RICHARD JONES, Palmer.
- MRS. SELMA OLSEN, Anchorage.
- MR. and MRS. ROWLANA SMITH, Terrabonne, Ore., MRS. SMITH, an expectant mother, hospitalized, her husband treated and released.
- EUGENE MARTIN, Seattle.
- ZENA LOUISE FELTRIN, Anchorage.
- LES M. GREENING, Anchorage and Seattle.
- MR. and MRS. RALPH TRACY, McGrath.
- MRS. J. E. JOHNSON, Palmer.
Ten others of the plane’s passengers and crew were in critical condition at Seattle and Renton hospitals. Several were not expected to live.
Bodies of two of the dead were not recovered until nearly four hours after the crash because of the intense heat emiting from the wreckage.
The plane, a DC-4, crashed only a few minutes after it had been turned back from an attempted landing at Seattle’s Boeing field by fog. Two airport employes in the control tower at the Seattle-Tacoma field said the ceiling radioed to pilot JAMES EVAN FERRIS, Seattle, as the plane settled through the overcast was 600 feet with a quarter mile visibility. Three minutes after the crash a special reading showed the ceiling at “400 feet with three-quarters of a mile visibility.”
HAROLD K. PHILIPS, chief of the maintenance division for the Civil Aeronautics Administration, sped to the scene for official inquiry and said:“Apparently the pilot ground hopped when he saw he was going off the runway.”
MRS. JONES, a widow and mother of a 9-year-old boy, was riding with a neighbor, IRA VON VOLKENBURG when the plane came plunging down a steep bank and swept the car across the road. VON VOLKENBURG said he escaped by kicking out a window and then groped in the smashed car without finding MRS. JONES. He was driven away seconds later as the plane burst into flames and then was wrecked by an explosion.
Eye-witnesses said the plane had made an apparently safe landing when it suddenly turned and went broadside over the bank at the end of the runway.
An outboard engine struck the bank as the plane sagged and watchers at the control tower said it “popped into flames.” Then it again as it flattened VON VOLKENBURG’S automobile and finally was sheathed in flame as the fuel tanks exploded.
The liner had been dogged by bad weather since it took off from Anchorage last Thursday. During its flight from Alaska it was delayed at Yakutat and Annette Island, near Ketchikan. It had taken from Annette at 9:30 a.m. yesterday.
Do you love local history as much as we do? If so, consider joining or donating to the Highline Historical Society, which is holding an online auction through Dec. 15th at this website.
You can join at this link, or donate directly to the HHS by clicking here.
We’re proud to say that The B-Town Blog is now a member, so you can look forward to many more obscure local history stories on this here website…
SOURCES FOR THIS STORY/PHOTOS:
According to the Kitsap Sun, an 18-year old Burien man lost control of his Ford Taurus on Highway 16 around 1am Tuesday morning and crashed into a manufactured home display building.
The man and his two passengers, 22 and 17, were all hospitalized at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, and the Burien driver, whose identity has yet to be released, is believed to have been driving under the influence.
Full story here.
The Seattle P-I reports that a 59-year old Burien woman was killed Saturday night after being struck by an SUV near Renton.
The accident occurred just before 9pm on SR-169 near 196th Avenue Southeast, which is between Renton and Maple Valley.
The driver of the SUV is a 52-year old Lynnwood woman.
No identity has been released, and the case remains under investigation.
SOURCE:
According to KIRO-TV, a stolen car being chased by cops on Highway 509 ended up crashing into and under a parked car on Wednesday.
Apparently, Burien police tried to pull a vehicle over on the 509, before it took off with three suspects.
The cops realized it was stolen, then pursued it northbound before it exited the freeway and crashed into a parked car near 10th Ave South and South 96th Street near South Park/White Center (see map below).
The three suspects were taken into custody.
SOURCE:
Both the Seattle P-I and KING-TV are reporting about a Saturday-afternoon police pursuit that ended with a car crashing into Sushi Saki, a Des Moines Japanese restaurant.
The incident apparently started when King County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a car in Burien, and an officer spotted what appeared to be a weapon.
The car sped off, and police say it led them on a chase to Des Moines, where it side-swiped two vehicles on Marine View Drive before crashing.
At least five law enforcement officers, including King County sheriff’s deputies, had to handcuff the suspect, who apparently was finally Tasered twice.
According to one witness, at least 19 patrol cars from the Des Moines and Burien police departments and the King County Sheriff’s Office were on the scene.
One arrest was made, but no one was hurt, and Marine View Drive was temporarily closed.
SOURCE:
The traffic webcam view above is of the scene where, around 7:10am this morning, a fatal crash and fire blocked all southbound lanes of I-405 in Tukwila near Southcenter causing a major four-mile traffic jam.
The DOT reports that all lanes have been re-opened, but we suggest that you refresh this page to see the latest webcam view.
Jared Storer, son of Mark Storer and brother of Brian, both of whom died last week when their floatplane crashed, wrote the following message about yesterday’s memorial service on his blog last night:
Thanks to everyone who attended Mark & Brian’s Memorial Service today. It really meant a lot to the entire family to see so many supporters of our loved ones.
Both men would be extremely proud of the service.
Thanks to all volunteers of Church by the Side of the Road, John Knox Presbyterian Church, Normandy Christian Church, Maars Hill, Riverview Community Church, and all other groups for helping organize the service and reception.
As for the procession, a special thanks to North Highline Fire District, Bellevue Fire Department, Burien/Normandy Park Fire, Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office, Port of Seattle Police, all towing companies in attendance, as well as security agencies, and other friends that drove in the procession.
Your overwhelming support is appreciated by the Storer family and was a true honor to Mark & Brian.
We estimate approximately 700 people in attendance at the service and 150 vehicles in the procession, primarily emergency vehicles.
Memorial Service Coverage:
Donations to the family of Brian Storer are currently being accepted at Sterling Savings Bank locations. The Storer Family Memorial Fund will benefit the 2 & 1 year old boys who lost their father.
More info at http://jaredstorer.blogspot.com/
TUKWILA – Burien Towing’s Mark and Brian Storer, killed last week when their floatplane crashed near Shelton, were honored today with a memorial service here.
The procession was highlighted by dozens of tow trucks (several vintage ones that Mark collected) in a procession that started at the Burien Towing offices on SW 149th, along with an honor guard and hundreds of mourners in the Church by the Side of the Road at this afternoon’s service.
More info:
According to Jared Storer’s blog, a fund has been set up to support the family of Brian Storer, who was killed last Thursday in a floatplane crash near Shelton along with his father, Mark.
Brian and Christy Storer were married three years and have two young children, Toby & Sam, ages 2 and 1 (pictured at left).
The “Storer Family Memorial Fund” is accepting donations at all Sterling Savings Bank locations.
| Jul ’08 |
| 31 |
| 11:00 am |
As we reported Friday, Burien Towing’s Mark Storer, 51, and his son Brian, 24, were killed in a floatplane crash near Shelton, WA.
A memorial service for both has been scheduled for this Thursday, July 31st at 11am at the Church by the Side of the Road, which is located at 3455 S 148th Street in Tukwila (map below).
According to the Burien Towing website:
- Mark and Brian took the afternoon off work to spend some time together in Mark’s amphibious airplane.
- The two were last seen enjoying the day on Lake Nahwatzel, before the plane’s engine failed shortly after taking off. Both died in the crash.
- Mark was a dedicated father and husband. He loved his family and will be missed by many.
- Brian was married and was a father of 2 young boys, ages 2 and 1. He also loved his family very much and will be missed.
- Both Mark and Brian dedicated much of their lives to the family business. Airport Towing mourns their passing and supports the families they have left behind.
- Any gifts or cards for the families are currently being collected at the main office:
Burien Towing
817 SW 149th Street
Burien, WA 98166
- All who knew Mark and Brian are invited to attend the service.
- Prior to the ceremony, a procession will lead the family to the Church from the Airport Towing office at 817 SW 149th Street in Burien. The lead car will leave the office at 10am.
- If you would like to join the procession, please arrive prior to 9:45am at the Airport Towing office for staging.
- All law enforcement vehicles, fire apparatus, tow trucks, and motorcycles are welcome in the procession.
- For more information on the procession, fill out the Contact form and Jared will respond to your inquiry.
- Following the service will be a reception at the Church. All are welcome to attend.
- A fund is currently being set up to benefit Brian’s family. Brian leaves behind a wife of 3 years and two sons, ages 2 and 1. Information on the Storer Family Memorial Fund will be posted when available.
- More information is available at jaredstorer.blogspot.com
SHELTON, WA - Burien Towing’s Mark Storer, 51 and his son Brian, 24, were killed Thursday when their floatplane crashed 10 miles west of Shelton.
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash that left the two area residents dead.
Mark Storer founded and operated both Burien and Airport Towing, and leaves behind his wife, Lynette, and a surviving son and daughter.
His son Brian was married with two small children.
According to witnesses, the plane struggled to reach altitude after taking off from Nahwatzel Lake before vanishing behind some trees, crashing then exploding.
From the Burien Towing website:
Airport Towing began as a sole proprietorship in March of 1988.
Mark and Lynette Storer purchased their first tow truck and began running calls out of their house.
Within six months they located a storage lot in the Burien district of unincorporated King County. The lot was up for lease, so an office trailer was built and the property was occupied. The storage lot was necessary to meet Washington State Patrol and King County Sheriff Office requirements for towers.
Many updates were needed in order to meet the high standards of the local police agencies. The couple worked diligently to improve the company far beyond state and local standards.
As the company expanded, other police and government agency contracts became achievable.
Airport Towing has since performed services for the Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office, Tukwila Police, Port of Seattle Police, Des Moines Police, Seattle Police, Normandy Park Police, the United States Postal Service, and others.
A Renton man was struck and killed by a minivan late Wednesday in the Boulevard Park neighborhood, and the suspected driver was later arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide, the King County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The 22-year-old victim died at the scene of the hit-and-run crash in the 9700 block of Des Moines Memorial Drive about 11:30 p.m. He had been walking in the roadway, deputies reported.
Investigators recognized the victim from a disturbance call less than a half hour earlier at the nearby Rascal’s Casino, 9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive.
Deputies worked with casino security officers to identify the suspect and went to his home in a Tukwila trailer park. They found the suspected hit-and-run vehicle, a 1991 Toyota Previa minivan, which had body damage consistent with hitting a pedestrian, deputies reported.
The suspected driver, a 29-year-old man, was located and booked into King County Jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide.
The incident remained under investigation.
SOURCE:
DES MOINES – Tragedy struck Friday night when an elderly woman drowned after the car she was a passenger in plunged into Puget Sound at the Des Moines Marina.
Police and fire officials said an elderly couple was driving in the parking lot of the marina when the male driver accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead of the brakes, causing the SUV to drive off of the road, crash through the fence and plunge into the cold water.
Rescuers pulled out the 86-year-old man rather quickly through his open window, but his 76-year-old wife wasn’t rescued in time.
By the time divers got the woman out of the water, she had been under for 28 minutes and was unconscious. Medics performed CPR on her, but she could not be resuscitated.
The man’s condition is not known.
The couple’s names were not released.
SOURCE:
BURIEN – The driver of a truck lost control, crashed and was trapped until being freed near the intersection of Ambaum Blvd. and 117th around 1 am this morning.
The truck lost control on Ambaum, rolled over a fence, struck a cement wall then hit two parked (and unoccupied) cars.
The driver had to be cut away from the car and rushed to the hospital, but he is expected to recover.
There is no official word on what caused this crash, but police are looking into reports that racing may be involved, and are investigating whether drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash.
SOURCE:
A 7-year old boy was hit by a car driven by an accused drunk driver Thursday night near the intersection of SW 116th and 19th Avenue SW, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred just before 8pm.
The boy was taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries.
His name and condition are not known.
The driver fled the scene, but was discovered blocks away and taken into custody, according to police. He is under investigation for driving under the influence.
SOURCE:
BURIEN – An elderly man apparently suffered a heart attack while driving in Burien today and struck and injured a teenage girl.
The man is reportedly fighting for his life.
Fire officials say the 73-year-old man was driving near the intersection of 116th Street SW and 4th Avenue SW when he apparently suffered a heart attack.
The car then drifted off the road and struck a 14-year-old girl who was walking home from school.
The girl was taken to Highline Community Hospital in Burien with what were said to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Video from the scene showed paramedics performing CPR on the man, but his condition was not known.
SOURCE:
A Burien woman pleaded guilty today of driving drunk the wrong way down I-5 before slamming into a pickup truck, killing an 18-year-old woman and badly injuring her boyfriend.
Cerrissa Christensen will likely face 6 1/2 years in prison when she is sentenced April 25 in King County Superior Court.
The 27-year-old woman pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault for the Oct. 9 crash, which killed Bawny McQuistin, who was riding in the passenger seat as her boyfriend, Eric Hillstrom, 19, drove toward downtown Seattle.
Hillstrom suffered broken bones in his legs and back and was left with serious brain injuries.
Christensen had been drinking at a Seattle bar before the crash. Several of her friends told her she was too drunk to drive and offered to give her a ride, but she managed to sneak away and get behind the wheel, Deputy Prosecutor Amy Freedheim said.
She entered the freeway’s northbound lanes headed south. She was speeding — 100 mph at times — in the car pool lane when she saw a state trooper and slowed down, “not even comprehending that she was going the wrong way,” Freedheim said.
The trooper and others tried, unsuccessfully, to get her to stop.
Her blood-alcohol level was 0.25 percent — more than three times the legal limit — according to court documents.
Christensen would have faced roughly 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 years for the charges, but she had a previous drunken-driving conviction that added two years to her sentence range. Prosecutors and her lawyer agreed to the top end of that range.
She also has a previous drug charge and various driving tickets and convictions, including ones for reckless driving and hit-and-run.
SOURCE:
BURIEN – A King County sheriff’s deputy crashed his cruiser on First Avenue in Burien last night, suffering minor injuries.
He was northbound in his patrol car on First Avenue in Burien with lights and sirens activated when someone swerved in front of his cruiser, causing the deputy to crash into some parked cars, according to the sheriff’s department.
According to Mark Konoske of the King County Sheriff’s Office, “It appears a vehicle made an unsafe maneuver in front of our responding cars, forcing the deputy to take evasive action, and as result lost control and resulted in a one car collision.”
The deputy, who was not identified, suffered non-life threatening injuries in the 4 p.m. accident.
King County deputies work under contract with the city of Burien to provide law enforcement services, and drive cruisers with Burien police decals.
Investigators are interviewing the person who they believe swerved in front of the deputy.
The investigation caused the closure of First Avenue between 142nd and 138th streets until around 7 p.m. last night.
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