Update: 2 hurt in Highland Park crash, including King County Sheriff’s Office deputy

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Doug, scene at Henderson)
6:07 PM: We’re at the scene of a crash in Highland Park at 15th and Henderson that is reported to have involved a police pursuit, apparently northbound from the White Center area, as King County Sheriff’s Office units are reported to be involved. More shortly.

(Scene at Trenton, where stolen car was found – this photo and next one by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
6:12 PM: Our crew at the scene has been told so far that a stolen car was being pursued and collided with the KCSO unit; the stolen car continued another block or so north to SW Trenton and was abandoned. Seattle Police are at that scene and have talked to a “person of interest” who is reported to have admitted being in the stolen car; officers are still looking for the driver and possibly one other person. We’re not sure yet about injuries.

6:39 PM UPDATE: Just past the damaged KCSO car, there’s a truck up on a lawn in the area but KCSO at the scene won’t comment on how it got there. SW Henderson is still blocked at the scene and according to Metro, that’s diverting Route 23 buses.

6:45 PM UPDATE: Kyle Moore from Seattle Fire says a 57-year-old woman, “not an officer,” was taken to the hospital by private ambulance with minor injuries.

7:50 PM UPDATE: We’ve now heard from KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, who says it all started in White Center, when a “deputy spotted a stolen vehicle near SW 98 and 15 SW. The vehicle fled northbound. At 15th and Henderson the deputy’s car collided with a truck that was not involved in the pursuit. The deputy and the woman in the truck both had minor injuries. The 57 year old woman was taken to Harborview, the deputy went to Highline Hospital. The suspect vehicle continued northbound for a block or 2 and the suspects (2) fled. The female passenger was apprehended and we are still looking for the driver who is described as an Asian or Hispanic male, possibly in his teens. Our Major accident response unit is investigating the accident.” Here’s a wider view of the main scene:

9:10 PM UPDATE: The county investigators have finished their work at the scene and SW Henderson is open again. The stop sign on the northwest corner of 15th/Henderson was taken out, so a temporary one is in place for now.

adamk April 17, 2012 (6:16 pm)

Madness over here in my ‘hood.
At Trenton between 16th and 15 were SPD, Burien PD, and KC sheriffs surrounding a green early 90s 2 door Honda Accord. (When I came by things were already done with, it looked like it was paperwork time.
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Henderson was blocked off between 14th and 16th ave, I saw 2 fire trucks, 1 ambulance, and a bunch of KC Sheriffs. One very-smashed-in KC sheriff car.
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Shows how well my memory worked… The picture convinces me that the car was red. :)

WSB April 17, 2012 (6:24 pm)

Thanks, we have somebody there and we’ve been adding info, now adding photos. – TR

DBurns April 17, 2012 (6:25 pm)

Thanks so much for the details; I saw the crash happen and it was terrifying to see. The Sheriff’s car literally bounced up in the air before it crashed and I thought the car they were chasing had crashed too – I guess it kept going. High speed chases are so scary. My teenage daughter drives around this area between home, friend’s houses and Westwood and I would hate to have had her see this or worse – don’t even want to think about it. Thanks for finishing this up for me, I was so rattled.

Adam2 April 17, 2012 (6:40 pm)

K-9 unit working its way north from Trenton now, headed up 14th, and then west down Donovan…

Chris April 17, 2012 (6:42 pm)

At least one of the perps ran through my neighbor’s yard after they ditcehd the car.

Christie April 17, 2012 (6:49 pm)

we went by when they were cutting out the person from the truck – i was told by someone that the truck was just driving and got hit either by the stolen car or the police car – not pretty

adamk April 17, 2012 (6:55 pm)

I am not a forensic accident reconstructor, but it sure looks like the dent in the side of the truck up on the lawn matches the front of the KCSO car. The stolen Accord didn’t appear to have enough damage to have done that to the police car.

huh! April 17, 2012 (7:00 pm)

Hope everyone’s okay and the “perps” are apprehended.

credible witness April 17, 2012 (7:12 pm)

Saw the whole thing. Cop car flew into the maroon truck. Bad. All bad.

Chris April 17, 2012 (7:28 pm)

The stolen car does not have much damage.

westseattledood April 17, 2012 (7:37 pm)

If anybody saw the perps and can give a description, then maybe do so here in commentd so neighbors can keep an eye peeled. I am assuming that LE is still searching and that WSB did not get a description from them. It might be very good info for nearby readers don’t you think? They can call 911 if they see anybody matching the descriptors.

jedifarfy April 17, 2012 (7:55 pm)

I, for whatever reason, decided to not drive down Henderson, but instead drove down 9th to Roxbury right about then. Amazing, I’m so glad I changed my route. I hope they’re all ok.

chuck and sally's van man April 17, 2012 (8:24 pm)

I’m finding this blog is not good for my blood pressure. It’s boiling over yet more punks on the loose after causing harm to innocents.

brin April 17, 2012 (8:28 pm)

I’ve never understood why cops are allowed to drive live maniacs, risking everyones life and property, over a traffic infraction or something like a stolen car. It’s utterly absurd that they’re allowed to drive like this in our neighborhoods.

RF April 17, 2012 (8:34 pm)

Just came home from school been 2 hours and 20 min still going on, its taped off and everything, just live a few houses away, pretty crazy.

datamuse April 17, 2012 (8:56 pm)

Hubby and I just drove past this and later saw the KCSO cruiser being carried away on a flatbed…looks like the scene is finally clear.

WSB April 17, 2012 (9:16 pm)

Thanks, DM – I just drove thru the area again (about 9:05) after checking it a half-hour before that – at 8:35-ish it was still closed, 9:05 open, so I added that to the story.

metroarea4 April 17, 2012 (8:57 pm)

I hope everyone walks away with little or no damage.
I have the utmost respect for LE. That said, I think the local authorities should think twice about (semi)high speed pursuits through densely populated neighborhoods. The main perp’s got away and the only people and equipment damaged was those of the innocents involved.

Got to love White Center. Not so white and not so centered…

Joel April 17, 2012 (8:58 pm)

they caught one one of the female thieves being a passenger in the stolen car. a little water boarding and she’ll give up her two homies.

even if they are caught car theft is about one level above jay walking in the court system. they’ll be out in no time stealing more cars

adamk April 17, 2012 (9:18 pm)

@joel: I’m pretty sure causing an accident that injures a police officer while running in a stolen car is a much more serious charge than just regular car theft.

stupidkids April 17, 2012 (9:45 pm)

that area always has a bunch of hoodlums hanging around. no one likes having theirstuff stolen or being harassed by these idiots. ii hope they got caught and put way for a long time for th damage they caused

huh April 17, 2012 (10:18 pm)

Live right there and agree with previous posts. Want them to catch the perps, but lights, sirens and blind corners…Wait 2 seconds, cross, perps in custody…Similar thing with school zone right there. Saw unmarked cop sight a offender in 20mph zone, wait a sec then speed off at maybe 50mph through crosswalk to get at them???

Nick April 17, 2012 (10:37 pm)

Typical criminals with reckless attitudes toward public safety. I bet the girl isn’t talking either.

brin April 17, 2012 (11:12 pm)

60 Minutes did a story a few years back about the number of innocent bystanders killed and injured by cops driving with absolute disregard for the safety of others. It’s also makes the criminals they’re chasing drive much faster, further compounding the problem. Since when is recovering a beater, which it looked like the stolen car was, worth this kind of risk. This guy should be fired, or at least put on meter patrol. There’s absolutely no justification for this kind of reckless behavior.

craig April 18, 2012 (6:38 am)

Maybe King County could step up its polce presence as well as make this type of high speed chase stop(If we lost a child here or any life…)

What can we (residents/SDOT)do to slow any traffic through non-arterial streets?

The property dammage in this case looks like it could have paid for a police salary or traffic calming infrastructure. Perhaps this warrants investment on the front end?

craig

A April 18, 2012 (7:27 am)

Got to love White Center. Not so white and not so centered”

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That is SO NOT what that bumper sticker means. It’s not intended to be a racist jab at White Center, but a mark of pride in the diversity of the community. I (and many others, I’m sure) would appreciate it if you didn’t use it as a snide swipe.
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None of this happened in White Center. It’s Highland Park, which is normally a quiet little neighborhood full of families and a few older folks who’ve been there forever. The final accident happened almost directly in front of where I used to live, and in a few years of living there we never had much happen, despite being on a busy street.
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There are a couple of known “problem houses” at Henderson between 17th and 15th. Landlords who don’t care and will rent to drug dealers and thugs are a BIG part of the problem.
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Lastly, I agree that a stolen car is NOT worth a high-speed pursuit. People’s lives are worth more than that old Honda.

WSratsinacage April 18, 2012 (9:04 am)

Longer jail sentences for car thieves, vandals, graffiti, and home robbers.
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“Squeaky wheel gets a greasin’, heh heh”

~ Tom Anderson

Nick April 18, 2012 (9:13 am)

I swear everytime I am out of town something like this happens I live on 14th I wish they would have ran through our yard our Shepard would have been more than happy to hold them for the cops

EdSane April 18, 2012 (9:42 am)

I don’t understand the comments regarding the age of the vehicle. Would the officer have had the right (according to some posters) to pursue if the car was more expensive? Doesn’t that mean that the police are to serve the more affluent in our society? Shouldn’t we consider the socio-economic status of the individual who was ripped off. Someone who probably can’t afford to easily replace the vehicle. Police have a tough job. When they lock on to a criminal I want them to pursue. Those who get away will only perpetuate the turbulent violence affecting the city this year.

ad April 18, 2012 (10:07 am)

I think high speed chases are WRONG!

A April 18, 2012 (10:18 am)

The word “old” was simply a descriptor. I could have just s easily said “red.” I simply didn’t. I don’t care if it’s a Honda, a Lexus or a vintage Ferrari where only 5 were made and it’s worth a half-million or more. People’s lives are worth more than a car. Period.

LE April 18, 2012 (10:37 am)

Maybe I have the directions turned around in my head, but it kinda looks like the maroon truck had a stop sign? And nonetheless pulled out in front of the police car?
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If that’s the situation, I dont feel it is appropriate to blame the damage on the high speed chase, or on the police’s decision to pursue. The damage is from someone blowing the stop sign.
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When you have a stop sign, you’re not supposed to proceed without accurately judging the speed of any approaching vehicles.
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brin April 18, 2012 (10:57 am)

I agree that the type of car is irrelevant. I don’t care if it’s a gold plated Bentley, cops should simply not be conducting high speed chases in residential neighborhoods. Even the lives of the perpetrators – probably young and screwed up, but still with the possibility of redemption – aren’t worth the terrible consequences of this egregious abuse of power. The number one imperative of law enforcement is to protect the public safety and these kind of chases do just the opposite. Look at the results of this one.

2 Much Whine April 18, 2012 (11:41 am)

I’ve never understood why criminals are allowed to drive like maniacs, risking everyone’s life and property, over a traffic infraction or something like a stolen car. It’s utterly absurd that they’re allowed to drive like this in our neighborhoods.

WSratsinacage April 18, 2012 (12:30 pm)

You beat me to it 2 much whine :)

xena April 18, 2012 (12:42 pm)

So should we also stop the fire trucks and ambulances from driving fast in response to a situation or call? Granted, discretion should be used for high speed chases but as the public we need to be more aware of sirens when driving and support our public agencies that are trying to serve us. I don’t want to place any blame but rather remind people that we have to yield to emergency vehicles.

datamuse April 18, 2012 (12:55 pm)

You’re right, 2 Much Whine. Let’s install some of those Severe Tire Damage devices on every cross street north of Roxbury. That’ll larn ’em.

I support cops April 18, 2012 (2:47 pm)

Do we actually know this was a ‘high speed’ chase?! Cops have got to do what they can to get criminals off the streets. As someone who just recently got robbed in White Center at 6am while waiting for a bus I fully support KC Sheriffs for taking what actions they can to get people like this off the streets. Criminals are a danger to society, not cops.

WSB April 18, 2012 (3:00 pm)

Nothing about speed appears anywhere in our story, as we do not have any information about whether they were pursuing at five or 50 mph. Like most investigations, the official findings will probably take quite some time. I’m following up this afternoon to ask how the deputy’s doing (I don’t have any info on the other person since I don’t know her name and without that, no way to ask, if she’s even still in the hospital) and whether there is any further information about next steps in the investigation – TR

Joe April 18, 2012 (3:24 pm)

Yes it was a high speed chase.

Much faster going past my house on 15th than I
have ever seen cars go and I have seen a ton of
idiots hauling a$$ up 15th. But 99% of the time
they are able to stop at the stop sign at Henderson. I wonder just how long the chase would have continued on narrow city streets in the afternoon with tons of kids living in the area
before whoever was calling the shots finally
decided to call the chase off?

Cleo April 18, 2012 (4:34 pm)

I lived between Henderson and Trenton on 15th. This is not the first time a chase has happened down this street. Persons speed down 15th to Trenton, which is not a through street Northbound. The corner of 15th and Henderson has many accidents caused from cars parking close to the corners “blinding” anyone at the side streets. A driver has to inched out into this intersection. It is common for cars to go by playing their stereos so loud one can hear the base beat two blocks away shaking the windows of the homes. Cars race up and down Henderson late at night. All this distraction causes drivers to not to see or hear lights and sirens. Our Sheriff and Police do the best they can. It is not all their “fault” – It is everyone’s distractions while driving.

Ka April 18, 2012 (5:51 pm)

Saw the police car pass my house seconds before impact with lights and siren going impact rocked my house rushed out to see the end result first concern was the injured people was relieved to see no one seriously injured this area is normally very quiet have to agree with Cleo about the loud cars and the blinding corner though have seen several accidents because of the corner being blinded by parked cars. My other concern is that this is a “family area” with small children thankfully nobody was seriously injured because of the stupidity of a few dumba$% people that have no regard for anybody besides themselves.The Dumba#$ pepeople need to be caught before they do REAL harm to some more innocent people just because they wanna joy ride or are too damn stupid to get on a bus or walk where they wanna go

NE April 18, 2012 (6:21 pm)

One of these “Sheriffs” was on my tail on 16th an hour before the crash. I was driving my daughter home from daycare, driving THE speed limit i might add. He recklessly speed around my and swerved through traffic, easily doing 15 mph over the limit, with no lights or sirens or signals. Not surprised he or one of his colleges hurt someone in an accident. Absolutely cocky and down right reckless.

EdSane April 18, 2012 (6:45 pm)

If criminals knew that cops would not pursue into residential neighborhoods. If that became policy. Wouldn’t this just encourage criminals to flee into residential neighborhoods putting further people in harms way. I want an aggressive police force that deters crime and gets criminals off the street. Its not just a “stolen” car. Allowing thieves to get away is ripping away the moral fabric of our society. Crime should have very real and serious consequences for the overall safety of society.

M. April 18, 2012 (9:54 pm)

Yep, those who steal cars and commit other felonies likely don’t play well in any community. Catching those fleeing felons should be priority one, so many times they have warrants for other crimes, long rap sheets.
It’s awful when the innocent get caught up in the melee, get hurt, lose property.
Many jurisdictions do not require Police to use lights or sirens in pursuit, btw. Sometimes stealth is needed. Best to always be aware, give lots of room.

metroarea4 April 19, 2012 (7:17 pm)

“Got to love White Center. Not so white and not so centered”

Easy there PC Police. It’s a joke and demographically speaking, correct. I don’t have the stats but, if I was a betting man I would say that crime is demographically disproportionate as well. Which speaks largely of social ills far beyond most of our immediate control.
I have lived here a decade and love that I raise my children in a culturally diverse area.

So before you go accusing people of having white robes with pointy hats in their closets realize there has to be tragedy for comedy to exist. Life is a target rich environment and I don’t discriminate.

The chase might have ended in Highland Park but, by the sound of it, originated in the White Center area.

For the comments about whiners, high speed chases, police and fire/aid calls. Those are two completely different mind sets when behind the wheel. I would argue that the police side is far more aggressive, dangerous and adrenaline fueled. The fire/aid are simply trying to reach a destination quickly. The police’s destination in these instances is a rapidly moving target trying to avoid capture. Apples and Oranges….

Sorry, comment time is over.