FOLLOWUP: Crash victim’s mother asks for help finding hit-run driver

(Family photo, taken the day Alex left Harborview)
That’s Alex, who survived a crash on Fauntleroy Way north of Lincoln Park four weeks ago. His mother Katie e-mailed to say that investigators are still looking for the driver who left the scene:

On 9/8/15 around 9:30 pm my son was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Fauntleroy and Othello. He was admittedly going over the speed limit when a white truck pulled out in front of him, cutting him off. The driver of the truck then stopped in the middle of my son’s lane, causing my son to hit the back driver’s side quarter panel. The impact threw him off his motorcycle and into two parked cars. The motorcycle slid for quite a ways in the middle of Fauntleroy. The driver of the truck then backed up, looked at my son, and then drove off … leaving my son screaming in pain, asking for help.

My son, Alex, is 20 years old. His left thumb was ripped off and his joint degloved, his left pinky was cut almost in half, he broke and dislocated his left hand in multiple places. His left shoulder was separated. His left femur is fractured and MCL damaged. His right thumb was dislocated. He had large patches of road rash over his body. He has had two separate surgeries on his hand. The first surgery the team of doctors attempted to save his thumb and pinky and were unable to because the damage was too great. The second surgery was to cut a skin flap to cover the exposed bone and tissue/muscle at the base of the thumb and cover that area with a skin graft. He had to receive a blood transfusion due to the massive blood loss from his injuries.

He faces another surgery in a few weeks, just to gain limited function of the remaining parts of his left hand. He faces long-term rehabilitation, likely further surgeries to attempt to give him a functional thumb, and a completely different life than he would have had otherwise.

The police have no leads at this time. We are asking for you to post on the Blog a request for the person who left this young man screaming for help, and anyone who has information about the crash and/or driver of the ***SMALL TO MIDSIZE WHITE PICKUP TRUCK (HAD A BLACK OR WHITE W/BLACK CANOPY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT) – WILL HAVE BODY DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER’S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL AND BRIGHT YELLOW/BLACK PAINT TRANSFER*** to please contact the Seattle Police Department Accident Investigation Team at 206-684-8923; police report #15-315463.

My son is a really great young man, and did not deserve to be left for dead in the middle of the road. Any help is very much appreciated.

Mark October 5, 2015 (9:21 pm)

I will be paying extra attention looking for this. I’m glad your son survived the accident. And hope for the best recovery possible for him

JanS October 6, 2015 (12:19 am)

what kind of human being does that? How can someone live with themselves after maiming a 20 year old and leaving him in the road to perhaps die? There are some really awful people out there who just don’t give a damn….how very, very sad …

Michelle October 6, 2015 (6:32 am)

That is just awful!!
Does anyone else think there needs to be a light at the cross street of Othello and Fauntleroy? It has gotten so busy there and very hard to get across the street either by car or walking. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Hawkbit October 6, 2015 (7:36 am)

@Michelle – There’s a crosswalk with a light one block north at Myrtle, or two blocks south near the park. We don’t necessarily need another light. However, we could use some occasional police presence on Fauntleroy to keep speeding and reckless driving under control, especially during rush hour and after 9pm when it turns into a racetrack.

Lisa October 6, 2015 (9:58 am)

Oh my gosh—that’s just awful!! I agree with Jan S. How can someone just leave like that? My thoughts and prayers are with you for a full recovery.

On a side note, people drive so crazy along that stretch, especially if they’re trying to get to the ferry. We need more police presence there so badly. I’ll bet they’d make so much money off tickets in that area too. It’d be a win for the community and for the police.

advntrplz October 6, 2015 (11:42 am)

Nearly identical situation happened to me last year. Hit and run. I wasn’t as badly injured, but my life and health haven’t been the same since.

It appears this young man has an amazing mom and hopefully a large supportive team because recovery is going to be tough. I wish the best.

The family should set up a gofundme. Even if Alex had uninsured motorist coverage on his own policy, it probably won’t begin to match the medical costs.

cluelessinws October 6, 2015 (12:33 pm)

Maybe a home along Fauntleroy has a security cam and the owner will see this/be able to get more vehicle info.
.
I second the opinion that SPD needs to spend more time here to thwart car prowls and speeders.

Wendell October 6, 2015 (5:20 pm)

This is attempted murder.

Many times drivers of all types will tailgate or act aggressively to teach “that biker” a lesson. It happens all the time, so take note of the results – that’s a human being traveling on those two wheels.

Get well soon young brother rider.

trickycoolj October 6, 2015 (6:47 pm)

YIKES. Someone cut me off with the same left-turn and stop in the lane maneuver on my way to work two weeks ago. I can’t even begin to imagine having that happen while riding a motorcycle! Lots of well wishes to Alex and his family on the road to recovery. I hope someone has info on the cowardly slime that ran off.

Kay October 6, 2015 (7:19 pm)

Katie, I know it’s of little consolation, but those of us living at Fauntleroy/Othello are happy that Alex is alive & starting his rehabilitation. There were quite a few of us who bolted from our homes when we heard the enormous, horrific crash. He was constantly surrounded by caring strangers the whole time he laid there. We spoke with him, to reassure & calm him; he was amazingly composed for how hurt he was & how much pain he was in. I even spoke with his girlfriend, briefly, via his cell to reassure her.

I feared when I saw his poor thumb that he would lose it. Thats an image I’ll never lose, a memory that will never fade. The poor darling, it was incredibly unfair what happened to him.

There were drivers that stopped & told the police what they saw; and all of us in the area have been constantly vigilant for that white truck. I hope it is found. I hope for justice for Alex. And I wish him as healthy as a recovery as can be had. Best wishes to you, Alex & the rest of your family.

me October 6, 2015 (7:39 pm)

I hope they find the driver!

Kym October 7, 2015 (11:21 am)

He is an amazing young man and I have been humbled by his strength and courage during this extremely traumatic and difficult time. We would like to thank all the first responders that cared for Alex and stayed with him when he was alone. You will never know how much that meant to him and his family. With that said, we will not stop looking until the driver that contributed to Alex’ injuries is found.

Debi October 7, 2015 (11:35 am)

I’ve been following this since the beginning. I’m glad to see he is doing as well as he is, but I wish it hadn’t happened.
Be aware, with the blood transfusions, he may now experience new food and environmental allergies that his doner’s had. My daughter is now allergic to peanuts, after her transfusion.

Sorry, comment time is over.