Discover Burien announced Thursday (Nov. 19th) that it will be offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the driver of the vehicle that committed the hit-and-run on Jeff Kearney in White Center on Tuesday, Nov. 17th.
The $1,000 reward is set up at Burien’s Sterling Savings Bank (located at 224 SW 152nd Street; (206) 243-6869), and residents can contribute to it as well.
Kearney, 36, a well-known mentally-challenged man and part of Burien’s “Team Clean Sweep,” was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th on Tuesday around 5:20pm. 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, and the latest reports we’ve heard are that he’s been upgraded to “serious condition.”
The suspect driver is still at large, and according to police, a driver’s side exterior mirror was found at the scene, and there is also likely 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.
We will continue to post updates about Jeff and this story as we learn more.
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.
