Shorewood crash turns fatal; teen victim’s family needs help

(WSB photo from January 15th)
The crash that closed 26th SW by Shorewood Market for hours three weeks ago has turned fatal. The 14-year-old boy hit by a truck, identified by family friends as Carter Allen, died this weekend. According to family friend Ericka, his injuries included irreversible brain damage, and he died after being taken off life support. She says Carter was autistic, a student at White Center’s Evergreen High School, raised by his single dad Derek Allen, who also went to EHS. Ericka writes:

Carter was a very happy boy who always had a smile on his face. Derek has been by Carter’s side in the hospital nonstop since the day of the accident, going through the ups and downs holding out hope and waiting for the day that Carter would open his eyes and he could hear his voice. He was told that it would be a long road to recovery, but never figured it would come to this.

Throughout this whole ordeal, Derek has never once asked for any help and has just said when asked that they will be fine and work things out as he can. Derek is the type of person that he would give his last dollar and the shoes off his feet if someone was in need, and he never wants to bother anyone with his troubles. It would be wonderful if his friends and those that know Carter could show them just how important they are. The medical bills are going to be outrageous and the funeral expenses are to be many, so any financial help that we can give him will help and be very appreciated. I know that Derek would do the same for someone else if they were in this situation, no matter how little he had.

A PayPal account has been set up for anyone who would like to donate, and Ericka says there will be a fundraising event in the near future. While the crash remains under investigation, King County Sheriff’s Deputies had said days afterward that it appeared to be an accident.

7 Replies to "Shorewood crash turns fatal; teen victim's family needs help"

  • Kayleigh, EHS alum February 7, 2011 (8:40 am)

    Life can be so random. So very sorry and sad to hear this.

  • Sandy February 7, 2011 (11:18 am)

    As a friend of the driver of the vehicle, we are all so heartbroken over this horrible accident. We pray for the Allen family and the driver and his family. Peace to all.

  • Jamie February 7, 2011 (11:42 am)

    I’m so sorry to hear this, this is incredibly sad. I live just up the street and was wondering what was happening. It appeared as if medics were working on someone on the street, and there was a truck stopped diagonally in the middle of the street. I though briefly that a pedestrian may have been hit, but it’s such an odd place for that to happen, because the street is so wide and it happened nowhere near a cross street. But I understand now what happened, and my heart goes out to both the father and the 21-year old who must feel incredible guilt over what happened. A true accident by definition. I hope they all get through it ok, and I hope my paypal donation helps in some way.

  • catlady February 7, 2011 (12:42 pm)

    As a parent this is the worst news you can hear. This is truly a sad accident. My thoughts and prayers to Carter’s family and to the young driver and his family as well. It’s just a devastating tragedy any way you look at it. God bless.

  • David Means February 8, 2011 (6:53 am)

    As a single father of a 5 yo boy with autism my heart goes out to the Carter family.I hope my $50.00 paypal donation helps and challenge all parents of autistic children to help.God Bless and COMFORT us in this tragedy.

  • Rebecca and Drew February 8, 2011 (8:03 pm)

    Our hearts go out to Carter’s family as well as the driver of the truck. We will miss seeing Carter in the neighborhood. He always seemed like a happy kid.

  • Sue February 11, 2011 (10:00 am)

    I have a grandson close to Carter’s age. I cannot imagine the sickness his family is feeling and the emptiness. I can’t imagine the sickness the driver must feel. Carter’s sweet face has been haunting me since I read the article and I never even knew him. This is when the three syllable word tragedy is simply not enough. I am so incredibly sorry for his absence in our world.

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