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.

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.

An 18 year-old woman was injured in a car-vs.-pedestrian accident this morning about 6:45 AM.

It happened in Burien at the 17700 block of Ambaum Blvd South (previously it was reported at 177th & Des Moines Memorial Way).

She was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

It was dark and raining at the time of the collision. The victim was crossing an Ambaum crosswalk. According to witnesses, the pedestrian was crossing against a red light, and was wearing all dark clothing.

The vehicle involved was a 2004 Honda Civic, driven by a 58 year-old man from University Place. There was no indication of drugs, alcohol, or speed as contributing factors in the accident.

The accident remains under investigation.

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AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED:

According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, a female pedestrian was hit by a car Friday morning (1/11/08) around 6:45 a.m. at 177th Street and Des Moines Memorial Drive.

The condition or age of the victim is not known.

A witness claims she saw shoes and a backpack on the roadway.

More info to come as we learn the victim’s condition.

Video story here.

SOURCES:

• KCPQ-TV
• KIRO-TV