UPDATE: Crash on Highland Park Way hill after car stolen with toddler inside

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5:54 PM: We’re hearing that traffic is slowed or stopped on and near Highland Park Way hill. SPD and SFD have responded to a report of a collision. No other details yet.

6:06 PM: Officers have just told dispatch they’re going to reopen lanes except for one southbound (uphill) lane.

6:24 PM: There’s a King County Sheriff’s Office case related to this somehow, as well as the SPD crash investigation.

6:55 PM: All lanes reopened.

7:14 PM: Thanks to the readers who saw TV reports linking this to a car theft. We’ve just talked to King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Tim Meyer, who says this started with a car theft in White Center around 5:10 pm – a Nissan Leaf taken near 15th and 100th, with a toddler inside. The child’s father somehow traced his vehicle and a collision ensued at Highland Park Way and Othello. The suspected thief is in custody, Sgt. Meyer says; the toddler has been taken to Children’s Hospital “as a precaution.”

Cornelius T. Sourdough November 18, 2021 (6:11 pm)

I saw a van and sedan both drive through the red light intersection doing about 50mph and then continue weaving up HPW. I knew that there would be a tremendous accident based on how reckless these guys were driving. I cannot fathom how selfish these two ass-clowns are that they risked so many lives. I hope that everyone including the young baby in car are alright. I will be shocked if either driver has license or insurance or even owned the cars.

WSB November 18, 2021 (6:23 pm)

There is some kind of Sheriff’s Office call related to this, I haven’t been able to confirm details yet.
S November 18, 2021 (6:55 pm)

I also witnessed the two cars flying through a red light and then zig up the hill. Incredibly reckless and no regard for human life.
Cornelius T. Sourdough November 18, 2021 (7:37 pm)

Pursuing your child in the backseat of a stolen car maybe the only justifiable reason for that reckless driving. Based on these cursory details I’d probably have done the same. What an overall scary situation. I sincerely hope everybody is ok and that justice gets served!
TN November 18, 2021 (11:47 pm)

There’s a good look Cornelius… Way to shoot 1st and ask questions later.You know THIS is a major symptom of the ills of America today. Everyone’s an expert with ZERO information. Everyone just needs to SHUT UP until the facts are out.
Andrea November 19, 2021 (4:01 pm)

Cornelius is right. Two wrongs don’t make it right. Imagine if the chaser collided into the thief and crushes his own child. A couple wrong decisions were made that day.

R November 18, 2021 (6:24 pm)

Here on 106th, the roar of traffic seemed even more ridiculousl than “normal” for the bridge closure times, knew i’d check here and know why. yikes.

CarDriver November 18, 2021 (6:36 pm)

Will be interesting to hear what actually went on here.

Gill & Alex November 18, 2021 (6:59 pm)

Is this related to the car stolen with an infant in it at SW 17/100th just reported on KING-5? Believe they showed a small red car.

LK November 18, 2021 (7:01 pm)

Saw on channel 7 that a car was stolen with a baby inside. Dad somehow found the stolen car and baby and chase ensued. Channel 7 reported that there was a wreck on HPW. Assuming this is the same one. Baby was taken to hospital as a precaution.

WSB November 18, 2021 (7:02 pm)

Thanks, thought I heard something about a stolen car, SPD would only tell me it was a county case. Will try to reach the county PIO.
S November 18, 2021 (7:06 pm)

I did see an adult holding an infant standing outside of a car. I hope the infant is okay and back with it‘s parents.

WSB November 18, 2021 (7:17 pm)

Just talked to KCSO and added basics above. Still a lot of details being investigated but these are the basics and we’ll track the arrested suspect’s case tomorrow.

WS resident November 18, 2021 (7:30 pm)

I was going down HPW around 5:40 (really just sitting in traffic as both downhill lanes weren’t moving) and a white van honking it’s horn was going downhill in the uphill lane and driving fast! Shortly after a police car went the same way. I thought for sure there would be an accident but somehow there wasn’t. This sounds like a different incident though?

JJ November 18, 2021 (8:45 pm)

As a father to a 3 year old girl, I would have done the same damn thing. The man is a straight up superhero to that child and they are lucky to have someone who cares for them that much. I hope he and his little one are okay.

New (used) Leaf Owner November 18, 2021 (9:16 pm)

Somehow I never envisioned a Leaf as a getaway car.

StopCuttingDownTrees November 18, 2021 (11:49 pm)

If any man deserves to be Father of the Year, it’s this super-dad.

MARIANNE November 19, 2021 (5:30 am)

I am curious about the back story before casting my vote. Regardless, glad the child is safe.

val November 19, 2021 (2:45 am)

“If any man deserves to be Father of the Year, it’s this super-dad.”
Except for the fact that he most likely left his child unattended in the car at some point- realistically, how else does a car get stolen with a child inside? Unless the father was forced out, say at gunpoint, there are chargeable offenses on both sides of this.

flimflam November 19, 2021 (7:02 am)

According to KOMO, quoting the father, he and his wife were swapping cars, he left the Leaf running with child inside, forgot to lock it – moments later the car was gone. Probably safe to assume the criminal didn’t realize there was a kid in the car but still a messed up situation. Thankfully the child is ok, the criminal was arrested and it sounds like dad got some shots in…

Balderdash November 19, 2021 (7:41 am)

Yes, these animals are like vultures just waiting for a chance. No wonder they were driving full on and crazy. Father was tracking his phone in the car. Good outcome (aside from wreckage) https://komonews.com/news/local/car-stolen-with-toddler-inside-but-determined-father-chases-thief-and-reunites-with-son

Audifans November 19, 2021 (7:47 am)

Cornelius, would you prefer the father just drive slowly as his stolen car disappears into the west seattle traffic with his toddler inside? No, you wouldn’t. So father drives how he has to even if they wreck. The thief set this in motion. Thievery every day and can impact everyone around the thievery.

Marla Singer November 19, 2021 (11:58 am)

“Pursuing your child in the backseat of a stolen car maybe the only justifiable reason for that reckless driving. Based on these cursory details I’d probably have done the same.”Cornelius agreed with you in his post.
- Audifans November 19, 2021 (12:20 pm)
  
  yes he did.. in the second post.. not the first

zark00 November 19, 2021 (9:42 am)

Kidnapping. Carjacker could incur kidnapping charges. I hope they do.

New (used) Leaf Owner November 19, 2021 (10:00 am)

I wonder if it’s even possible to lock a Leaf when the car is turned on? Moral of this story: never leave a child unattended in a car.

Snowskier November 19, 2021 (10:04 am)

Please, please, please prosecutors office, throw the book at this guy that stole the car. Once he learned there was a child in the car, he could have pulled into a parking lot and walked away but instead he put the child in mortal danger, compounding his litany of poor choices. Kudos to the parents for doing whatever was required to get their child back safely.

CAM November 19, 2021 (11:23 am)

This is awful and I’m glad it had a less than horrific outcome. I can’t even imagine. Makes me feel a little churlish for the attitude I had about the 90 minutes it took me to get home last night.

tom November 19, 2021 (1:55 pm)

kidnapping

CarDriver November 19, 2021 (5:09 pm)

How would the crook know an electric car was running? Gas powered car owner here.

Balderdash November 19, 2021 (5:13 pm)

Pretty bold in broad daylight

JayKay November 19, 2021 (7:15 pm)

A miracle and so thankful the child is safe. These days you have to expect the unexpected and use your street smarts in the city. There are laws to not keep your car running while unintended and also not to keep children 16 years and under in an unattended car that is running. www.dol.wa.gov 3-27

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