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.
Lots of Readers have been asking about 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) and has been staying at BTB Advertiser Burien Nursing & Rehabilitation.
Debra George says:
Jeff is doing better and although his memory comes and goes he seems to be having better days.
They say he will be able to walk well enough to be discharged from his current rehab facility in two weeks.
He then will enter another rehab facility for three weeks where they will work on motor skills.
They think he will be able to go home after that, and continue with some outpatient treatment.
Once he is out, I am planning on picking him up and bringing him into Burien everyday just so he can go to some of his familiar places.
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.
The King County Sheriff’s Department alerts us that Peter K. Ebinger, 24, the brother of Mark K. Ebinger, 25, who was the victim of a fatal stabbing at Burien’s Goodtime Ernie’s last month, will hold a press conference on Monday, Dec. 28th.
Peter, 24, will offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed his brother, who was 25.
We’ll have a Reporter and Photographer on the scene Monday and will give a full report next week.
Here’s the text from an email we received from Sgt. Jim Laing:
On 11/12/09 at approx. 1.45 AM a large group attacked two brothers outside Good Time Ernies in Burien. Both brothers were stabbed several times and one died at the scene.
The deceased was identified as Mark K. Ebinger. His brother, Peter K. Ebinger spent several days in hospital but will recover from his wounds.
Detectives believe there are witnesses who have not come forward and that these witnesses have information that would help the investigation.
On December 28, 2009 at 1.30pm Peter Ebinger will speak to the Press and offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed his brother.
The Press Event will be held in Sheriff Rahr’s office, King County Courthouse, 3rd and James, 1st floor.
Here’s the latest update on 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).
According to Debra George, who visits him almost daily at Highline Medical Center’s Specialty Campus in Tukwila:
Jeff is starting to eat by mouth some, but is still very scattered memory wise – it seems to come and go.
He is not able to get up out of bed yet, but he is able to be in a wheelchair.
He had his trach out on Tuesday and he is talking pretty good. He is getting items in his head mixed up but he is saying some of his old lines, such as “whats your name?”
It seems as he tires he gets more confused on who people are and his short term memory is not so good – such as I come in and he says I know you, your Debra George and then a little later in the conversation he tells me to tell Debra hi for him.
Each day it seems to get better, we are hoping they will start to get him up and in physical therapy for his arms and legs next.
- Debra George
Discover Burien, Event Manager
Photo of Jeff Kearney recovering at Highline Medical Center's Specialty Campus by Debra George.
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.
If you’d like to visit Jeff, he’s taking visitors now at his location at Highline Medical Center’s Specialty Campus, which is located at 12844 Military Rd South in Tukwila (phone: 206-244-0180). Jeff is in room #229.
Here’s the latest update on 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).
According to Debra George, who visited him on Sunday, Dec. 6th:
Jeff is slowly making good progress. He is awake most of the time. He is been doing good at moving his legs and arms, taking commands. Yesterday I asked him to raise one finger, then two and so on – he did very well. I left him with the challenge last night to move his mouth – try and smile, and this morning I am happy to say he moved his mouth and smiled a bit, he even tried to mouth some words.
The doctors say that him might get his tracheotomy out this week and begin to work with a speech therapist. Next week he will be sent back to Harborview where they will look at his hips again – then back to Riverton Rehab. I am very hopeful that he might be home for Christmas.
At this time they have not found the individual that did this to him.
Thank you for all your prayers and concerns.
- Debra George
Discover Burien, Event Manager
The hit-and-run driver is still at large, and the investigation is still 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
There is still a $1,000 reward, so if you recognize the suspect vehicle please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
If you’d like to visit Jeff, he’s taking visitors now at his new location at Highline Medical Center’s Specialty Campus, which is located at 12844 Military Rd South in Tukwila (phone: 206-244-0180). Jeff is in room #229.
Here’s the latest update on Jeff Kearney, the well-known mentally-challenged man who was the victim of a hit-and-run two weeks ago (original story here) in White Center.
According to Debra George, who brought him over a dozen gifts left by well-wishers for his 37th birthday last Saturday:
“He is breathing on his own, but still has pneumonia and is in ICU for that.
He opens his eyes more now and is tracking some, but does not take in any information. The nurses say that it could be years for him to recover and the extent of his recovery is still unknown.
The Nurses have given Jeff a very nice looking goatee shave.
Nothing yet as I know on the driver who did this to him.
Scott, a wonderful thing that happen last Wednesday when I was visiting Jeff – a box arrived from the Seattle Mariners, filled with all kinds of gift items and a signed card by no less than 25 Mariners employees – they all signed something personal as if they all knew him and were all rooting for him. This was not provoked by anyone I know of – just a wonderful thing they did!”
We checked in with Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department, who says that the hit-and-run driver is still at large 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
There is still a $1,000 reward, so if you recognize the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Update On Hit & Run Victim Jeff Kearney; His Birthday Is Saturday & Suspect Is Still At Large
- UPDATE: Police Need Help Finding Vehicle In Hit-And-Run Of Jeff Kearney
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.
Our own Gina Bourdage took the photos above at the scene of the crime late Wednesday afternoon, where a man’s body was found inside the Burien Jewelry and Loan building in the 200 block of SW 152nd in downtown Burien (map below).
According to KOMO News, a gun was found near the body, it’s being considered “suspicious” and no identity has yet been released.
As Bourdage was on the scene, the Medical Examiner pulled up.
The investigation is continuing.
| Feb ’09 |
| 21 |
| 2:00 pm |
The photo above is of deceased area resident Charles “UpChuck” Moore, who was tragically murdered by his stepson in 2005. The second-annual Benefit for Families and Friends of Violent Crimes Victims will be held this Saturday, Feb. 21st at The Barrel Tavern, located at 11051 First Ave South (map below).
Also known as “UpChuck,” he was a regular patron of The Barrel and a resident of the Top Hat neighborhood, and his picture hangs on the wall of the tavern. He is missed by all who knew and loved him.
Here’s the original (and gruesome) news story as printed in The Seattle P-I on 1/28/05:
BOULEVARD PARK — King County sheriff’s detectives believe a man who survived a stabbing acted in self-defense when he killed his half-brother.
Jason Moore, 24, was found bleeding from stab wounds outside his Boulevard Park home late Jan. 20. Inside were his father, Charles Moore, 48, and his half-brother, William Moore, 29, both dead from stab wounds.
Sheriff’s Sgt. John Urquhart said it appears that William Moore attacked his sleeping stepfather by hitting him in the head with a heavy object and stabbing him repeatedly in the neck. When Jason Moore went to investigate, his older brother stabbed him, Urquhart said. The fight moved through the house, and the younger brother managed to grab a kitchen knife and fatally stab his older brother.
The memorial event starts at 2pm at the Auburn Eagles Hall, with a ride through the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, ending up at The Barrel for a buffet dinner, door prizes, 50/50 drawing, live music and raffles.
Here are the details:
WHAT: The Apple Dumpling Gang Motorcycle Club ADG and The Barrel Tavern present the 2nd Annual Charles Moore Benefit for Families and Friends of Violent Crimes Victims
WHEN: Saturday, February 21st, starting at 2pm at the Auburn Eagles Hall
WHERE:
- 2 p.m. Meet & leave from Auburn Eagles, located at 702 M Ste SE, Auburn, WA (253-833-2298)
- Ride through Tahoma National Cemetery, located at 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, Wa 98042
- Ending at: The Barrel, located at 11051 1st Ave S. Seattle, (206-244-7390)
INFO: Buffet dinner, door prizes, 50/50 drawing, live music and raffles.
Grand Prize will be a 3-day, 2-night stay, including airfare to Reno with accomodations at the Silver Legacy Hotel & Casino.
Here’s the poster:
According to KIRO-TV, Burien fire victim John Miklosh received a surprise package from country music star Vince Gill – an autographed guitar!
Apparently a reporter for KIRO found out that Miklosh had lost his autographed guitar in the fire, so he called Gill’s “people” and arranged for a replacement, which arrived today.
Full story here, but note that KIRO erroneously claims that only two people were killed, when in actuality three were (Edgar Omar Cisneros Velazquez, his grandfather Ramon Cisneros Sanchez and Lindy Kunimoto).
And as of Aug. 26th, the arsonist still remains at large despite a $10,000 reward.
WHITE CENTER – A boy barely old enough to drive a car was sentenced to 19 years in prison Friday for the killing of White Center resident Craig Hoffman.
Jonathan Newman, 16, was the last of three teens to be sentenced for burglarizing and shooting the father of four, who was gunned down in the street near his house on 14th SW.
As the suspect who brought the gun and pulled the trigger that day, Newman was prosecuted as an adult, which resulted in the harshest punishment.
Both Newman’s and Hoffman’s relatives attended the emotional hearing at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
Newman pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge in April.
His two friends pleaded guilty to burglary charges and were each sentenced to two years in juvenile detention.
On Oct. 19, instead of going to school, the three teens were looking for a house to loot when they saw Hoffman drive away from his house, in the 11000 block of 14th Avenue Southwest, according to King County sheriff’s detectives.
They were ransacking the place when Hoffman unexpectedly returned, so they ran. Hoffman was chasing them when Newman turned and fired three times, striking the 46-year-old twice in the chest.
Investigators say Newman, then 15, laughed as Hoffman collapsed. He died almost instantly, his keys still dangling from the door of his home.
SOURCE:
The mother of a Lynnwood woman whose body was found near Burien two years ago announced that she is increasing the cash reward to $36,000 for information that leads to an arrest in her daughter’s case.
Nicole Pietz, 32, was found strangled Feb. 6, 2006, in a wooded area near South 114th and Des Moines Memorial Drive (see map below).
Her 2003 Volkswagen Jetta was found abandoned two weeks later in the University District in Seattle.
The King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and hasn’t publicly identified any suspects.
Gail Schneider, mother of Pietz, said at a new conference that she hopes increasing the reward from $26,000 will reach the conscience of someone who might have information about the slaying or who might have been an accomplice.
SOURCE:
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