FOLLOWUP: Hit-run crash victim’s father says suspect arrested

We’ve been following the case of a hit-run crash in Highland Park on December 14th that left a West Seattle man seriously injured, 24-year-old Levi Gryniewski.

Five days after the crash, we published a followup with his family asking for help finding the driver who left the scene at 16th/Thistle.

Now, they report a major development:

His father Bruce Gryniewski tells WSB that “SPD identified, arrested, booked, and released the driver of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle that picked him up to flee the scene.” He says the 19-year-old suspect was arrested on December 21st, but he hasn’t been able to get much information (nor have we), aside that the investigation is continuing, and “according to the detective, both face serious charges for leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury.”

Police told us last month that while the driver who hit Levi left his vehicle at the scene, its ownership was in question; Bruce Gryniewski says, “Apparently, the vehicle involved has changed hands twice during the past 6 months with no transfer of title to follow.” Nor, he says, was it insured. The car that Levi was driving (WSB photo at right), from which firefighters had to extricate him, belonged to a friend.

As for his son, who has run his own landscaping business since he was a teenager: “Levi’s condition has continued to improve but he has a long road ahead. Prayers and support from the West Seattle community has been incredible and moving and I want to thank everyone for keeping Levi in their thoughts and prayers. Of course there will be significant medical and rehabilitation bills ahead and we continue to look to the West Seattle community for support for his recovery.” Help continues to be accepted via this GoFundMe account to support Levi’s recovery expenses.

We will continue to follow the case.

9 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Hit-run crash victim's father says suspect arrested"

  • flimflam January 6, 2017 (12:24 pm)

    there needs to be a severe consequence to this – the maximum penalties allowed.

    best wishes and recovery to Levi. 

  • Chuck January 6, 2017 (12:26 pm)

    Thrilled that these two criminals (it’s what they are) have been identified and arrested. I look forward to reading about charges and convictions–and hopefully long jail time and monetary damages paid to the victim. In the meantime, continued good wishes to Levi. Way to go SPD!

  • Gina January 6, 2017 (12:53 pm)

    Both were released, or only the get away driver?

  • speed demons January 6, 2017 (3:14 pm)

    Was there ever any followup on the accident in Admiral a few weeks ago? The one near Mioposto where witnesses reported the driver driving recklessly fast and hurtling the victim through the air, but the driver claimed he was only doing 35 and was let go? 

  • ACG January 6, 2017 (9:08 pm)

    Please let justice be served. Seems awful that I have to question if that is truly going to happen. Sigh. 

  • Mike January 6, 2017 (10:10 pm)

    Glad to hear his condition is improving, glad to hear they caught the person that hit him.  Such a horrible incident.  I wish Levi the best and look forward to more news of improvement.

  • Andy January 7, 2017 (5:25 am)

    Anymore, when people run into each other in their cars, do any of them stop and exchange insurance information? The proliferation of hit and run is a consequence of drivers being drunk, stoned or both, and probably texting. The state legislators need to get off their numb rear ends and make hit and run a serious crime with serious consequences! We, as citizens, need to demand that they do so!!

  • Mark January 7, 2017 (7:08 pm)

    Good job SPD, now the court needs to convict justice that includes a long time in jail and payment of all costs incurred due to the criminal act

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