CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: New information in reverse-RV hit-and-run case

A court hearing this afternoon yielded more information in the case against 47-year-old Brent D. Comer, arrested Monday and accused of hitting a pedestrian and three other vehicles while trying to escape police in a motorhome going downhill in reverse (here’s our original coverage). WSB policy is generally not to identify suspects before charges are filed; Comer is also being held on a warrant in a case in which he is charged, so we are publishing his name now. More on that shortly. A judge found probable cause today to hold Comer in this new case, but he did not appear in court, so bail will be addressed at a hearing tomorrow.

The probable-cause documents say an SPD sergeant was trying to pull over Comer after noticing that the RV’s registration had expired three years ago. At the time, the RV was westbound on West Marginal Way, heading toward Delridge. The sergeant had lights on and activated siren bursts, but the motorhome ran the light and headed southbound on Delridge, then westbound on Andover, before going into reverse, hitting a car, a pickup truck, and a tanker truck before coming to a stop. Police say Comer then bailed out of the motorhome and ran, but was caught nearby. They say they saw suspected black-tar heroin and needles in the RV, and that Comer later claimed he was headed to visit his girlfriend in Pigeon Point; before he was arrested, he approached a resident on Delridge and asked for a ride to her house. Probable-cause documents list his address as in Kirkland. That’s the same address on documents from charges filed against him in another case, involving an alleged assault on a former girlfriend in Redmond. Those charges are for assault and auto theft, saying he punched his ex-girlfriend in the face and stole her car in December 2018. The charging documents in that case note, “Since 2004, 5 different court venues have imposed 8 orders under 5 unique case numbers protecting 3 other women and 1 child from the defendant.” The warrant in that case is for failing to appear at a hearing. Back to the Monday incident in West Seattle – the injured pedestrian is expected to survive, according to an update just shared at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting that’s under way right now.

skeeter February 16, 2021 (6:41 pm)

Thank you very much for this followup report. Sounds like 3 women, 1 child, and basically the entire state of Washington are unsafe with this person not locked up in prison.

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy February 16, 2021 (6:45 pm)

I’m glad I don’t let loneliness get to me. Otherwise I’d end up in a relationship with someone as awesome as this person… Hope future women manage to find his history and stay away.

CarDriver February 16, 2021 (6:58 pm)

Speaking of crime…WSB any updates on the Alki(61st & Stevens Alley)shooter? And more importantly any updates on the victim’s condition??

WSB February 16, 2021 (8:52 pm)

No change. Next hearing in mid-March. No idea how the victim’s doing, sorry.

Peter February 16, 2021 (6:59 pm)

Good grief – I can’t believe this person is out on the streets, let alone driving. My thoughts and prayers go out to the injured person.

M February 16, 2021 (7:17 pm)

The leniency of our local judicial system has resulted in this elderly man nearly dying. There is blood on their hands. Our public safety is important. This will not be forgotten.

Lagartija Nick February 16, 2021 (7:20 pm)

To all the commenters yesterday who blamed the RV encampment by Nucor for this, shame on you! He clearly wasn’t associated with them or even from West Seattle. I’ll be expecting your apology forthwith. That said, I’m glad they caught the guy and hope justice is served.

Alki resident February 16, 2021 (8:10 pm)

There’s been plenty of crime that have come from the rv parking area by Nucor so no need to shame anyone. Consistency is consistency.
- Jort February 17, 2021 (8:53 am)
  
  “They all look the same,” is that what you’re saying?
  - wscommuter February 17, 2021 (10:51 am)
    
    Kind of … because … yeah. The people “living” in these motor homes are primarily addicted persons, who are fouling the neighborhoods with their refuse and too often, committing crime nearby to support their addictions. Tax me more to pay for drug treatment – I will gladly pay it. Tax me more to pay for housing – I will pay it gladly too. Food, health care, mental health services – all of it – tax me more and I will gladly pay it. But the status quo isn’t working and pretending otherwise is moronic. Allowing these motor homes to park and stay is unacceptable.
    - John W February 17, 2021 (11:49 am)
      
      Thank you and well said ‘wscommuter’.
      If we all shared your perspective, these problems could be solved, to everyones’ benefit.
      
      I too, would happily contribute more in taxes for the compassionate treatment of others.
      
      Crime, homelessness, substance abuse and mental illness, we have witnessed all increase due to lack of services that can effectively eliminate their root causes.
    - neighbor February 17, 2021 (12:10 pm)
      
      Count me in with this as well, WSCommuter. To me, allowing people to continue to live outdoors and/or in vehicles is the opposite of compassion.
    - Sixbuck February 18, 2021 (4:58 am)
      
      I agreed until “tax me more”. I am taxed out. I am getting to the point of not shopping in the city in protest.
- Youngstown February 17, 2021 (3:12 pm)
  
  North Delridge has experienced a huge increase in car prowls recently, and it just so happens that the amount RVs parked along Andover has grown. My husbands work van has been broken into 4 times in the last 6 months. I myself do not feel safe walking in that area anymore including the trail along the creek. I’m not pointing figures at the folks that live in those RVs, it’s just sad that they live have that way. I wish they could move them all to RV park that had some services for them , hot showers, counseling, etc
North admiral February 16, 2021 (8:16 pm)

Gross
r February 17, 2021 (9:41 am)

Actually I am pretty sure I have seen that RV parked near the fitness center for quite some time. I passed it quite regularly on my runs…the expired tabs were not from Seattle but that does not mean he hasn’t been parked there for quite some time.
- Sixbuck February 18, 2021 (5:00 am)
  
  Since when does the city of Seattle issue vehicle tabs? Give them time…

Duffy February 16, 2021 (7:48 pm)

Sounds like a real stand-up dude. Hopefully, just hopefully, nearly killing multiple people in a 10,000lb death trap might finally put him away for a while.

Hannah G. February 16, 2021 (7:56 pm)

Kirkland also seems to be the birthplace he lists on some of his seven different Facebook profiles, where drugs and firearms seem to be among this guy’s pastimes. I suppose when one isn’t alluding the police or shooting heroin there’s lots of time leftover for social media.

TM7302 February 16, 2021 (8:26 pm)

Yeah, shame on you! I wouldn’t be surprised if when the rest of the story comes out, Mr. Comer was traveling from the palatial RV encampment on 2nd Ave SW…

Katie February 16, 2021 (8:43 pm)

I’m curious why the officer WSB spoke to at the scene yesterday had such a different explanation for what had happened (“Helping a stuck RV”) than what had actually occurred… Were they uninformed, misinformed, or just flat-out lying?

SeaSpade February 17, 2021 (8:16 am)

You do wonder what would’ve happened – and just a wild thought here – that we actually paid for more police and tactical enforcement we would’ve maybe – just maybe – detected the 3 year delinquency in auto tabs and perhaps averted/addressed this issue earlier. Besides, he owes the rest of us about $1200 towards WS light rail……

CarDriver February 17, 2021 (2:48 pm)

To those saying they’d be happy to pay more in taxes to “solve” homelessness/drug addiction etc. What’s REALLY telling is that i’ve yet to see you on the evening news demanding this. I’ve yet to see you with an initiative petition to sign. I’ve yet to read that you’ve packed city council chambers demanding this. Me thinks what you REALLY want is “someone else” to pay more, not you.

JohnW February 18, 2021 (10:30 am)

CARDRIVER’s comment prompts my response as its claim that anonymous posters had not been seen! How would CARDRIVER even know, as we are anonymous? But the dismissal of others offering support of the established societal support of those less fortunate is misled. In response to the “solve” quote, that is referencing the RV and Homeless camps, which could be solved by compassionately providing housing. The County’s plan to purchase underused hotels in this buyers’ market looks promising.

Sorry, comment time is over.