CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Plea bargain for bicyclist Robb Mason’s killer

Sentencing is scheduled this Friday for Mohamed A. Yusuf, who hit and killed bicyclist Robb Mason on July 15, 2022, just east of the low bridge. We learned today from Mr. Mason’s widow Claudia that Yusuf, who is 21 – one-third the age of the man he killed – pleaded guilty last week to vehicular homicide and felony hit-and-run. We’ve subsequently obtained the court documents. In them, Yusuf admits, “I was speeding twice the posted limit and crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into a bicyclist who was crossing at an intersection. I killed him and drove away. I never called the police or reported the crash.” Yusuf was charged five and a half months after hitting Mr. Mason while driving his Hyundai Elantra at 52 mph; the victim was riding home to Magnolia from his job as a West Seattle massage therapist. Detectives identified Yusuf through evidence including debris at the scene, video from a Metro bus, and online records indicating he was aware of what he had done and had been reading news reports about it. He has been on electronic home monitoring ever since his arraignment. According to the plea-bargain court document, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is recommending a sentence totaling 41 months – just under 3 1/2 years – which is the low end of the “standard range.” (Yusuf has no criminal history.) King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas will sentence Yusuf at 1:45 pm Friday afternoon (September 22nd). Claudia Mason says anyone who wants to send a message to the judge before the sentencing can do so by the end of today via KCPAO victim advocate Kaili Brown at kaibrown@kingcounty.gov.

flimflam September 19, 2023 (1:00 pm)

Ok, I’ll bite – why on earth is the prosecutor asking for the low end of the sentencing possibilities?

Mr. Man September 19, 2023 (3:28 pm)

why would they be seeking the high end of the sentencing possibilities? It was an accident and not deliberate
- Dick Farlow September 19, 2023 (4:10 pm)
  
  Not deliberate, but definitely not an accident — utter negligence.
  - Eric M September 19, 2023 (5:07 pm)
    
    every accident is borne of negligence
  - seriously? September 19, 2023 (11:24 pm)
    
    sorry dick.. it was absolutely deliberate.. I was there.. where were you? did you see this.. because I did..
- West Seattle Island September 19, 2023 (4:10 pm)
  
  They were speeding, crossed into oncoming traffic, killed a man, and drove away. Why should they get off light?
- CC September 19, 2023 (4:11 pm)
  
  You’re wrong. It was absolutely deliberate. He was laying on the car horn as he hit him from behind. There were eye witnesses.
- Lagartija Nick September 19, 2023 (4:20 pm)
  
  Driving twice the speed limit and crossing into oncoming traffic ARE deliberate acts. This was not an accident and Yusuf deserves a LOT more than 3 1/2 years in prison.
  - 1994 September 19, 2023 (9:58 pm)
    
    I agree. This is such a sad situation with an even sadder sentencing recommendation. I hope the judge gets an earful and Mr Yusuf needs to hear all as well.
- WSRez September 19, 2023 (4:31 pm)
  
  Why would you NOT pursue maximum punishment? The defendant had multiple opportunities to do the right thing between the incident and nearly 6 MONTHS when he was arrested.
- Jon Wright September 19, 2023 (11:37 pm)
  
  As long as operators of 3,000-pound kinetic energy weapons (aka cars) get a free pass (“Whoops, accident!”) for mowing down pedestrians and cyclists, pedestrians and cyclists have no prayer of staying safe. Just like drunk driving used to be dismissed with a complicit wink until MADD came along and changed public attitudes and laws, we need a similar movement to protect pedestrians and cyclists. If you choose to operate a car, you need to be truly held accountable for any mayhem you cause while behind the wheel.
- Julie September 20, 2023 (7:21 am)
  
  He didn’t accidentally drive away… He didn’t accidentally not render aid or call 911. What’s wrong with you? And it wasn’t an accident. It was carelessness and recklessness.
- anonyme September 20, 2023 (11:33 am)
  
  Hey “Mr. Man” are you a relative of “Mr. Y”? Or maybe his lawyer? There’s no other logical reason for your comment.
- brett September 21, 2023 (3:09 pm)
  
  The ‘hit’ might have been an accident, the ‘run’ however, was deliberate, and despicable.

oerthehillz September 19, 2023 (1:03 pm)

Interesting, thanks for the update. When my little brother was killed at 20 yrs old and a cyclist on Vashon, the teen who hit him was not charged. We were given a choice if we wanted to press charges or not. We opted to not press charges because we figured his life was messed up enough knowing he killed someone. Looking back we should have pressed charges, as he went on to nearly kill a car full of teenagers months later. Are families/loved ones given a choice to press charges to these kinds of crimes? Or was that an old law back in 97 when we were given a choice?

Gary September 19, 2023 (8:06 pm)

I’m sorry that happened to you and your family, Oerthehillz. I would have thought the exact same thing.

WSRez September 19, 2023 (1:15 pm)

It should be a mandatory 10 years for killing a person due to negligence or actual intent. 3.5 years is absurd. It’s not enough time to reform someone and it’s definitely not enough time for the roads to be safer with one less criminal driving.

Also John September 19, 2023 (2:12 pm)

Agree!…. 3 1/2 is a slap in the face to the victims family.
Melissa Westbrook September 19, 2023 (2:14 pm)

I agree. Just shocking especially given it was deliberate. It wasn’t an accident at all.
reed September 19, 2023 (2:31 pm)

Absolutely agree, particular in this case were this guy showed no remorse, but this is the United States where automobile culture rules and a car would never be considered a deadly weapon.
Christopher B. September 19, 2023 (3:30 pm)

I also think that callously and selfishly driving away and not rendering aid or calling for help should add a multiple to any sentence.

WS Steve September 19, 2023 (1:47 pm)

Such a low sentencing seems absurd. Drivers need to be charged to the full extent of the law when they purposefully drive recklessly and murder innocent people.

Skeptic September 19, 2023 (1:53 pm)

If Mr. Yusef had stopped and called police, then rendered some first aid, I would feel ok with a 41 month sentence. Because he drove off and left Mr. Mason in the road to die, he should get the maximum possible sentence. He left the scene of an accident because he was worried about HIMSELF. He should go to jail for as long as possible.

Bill September 19, 2023 (1:58 pm)

Twice the speed limit, crossing into oncoming traffic, killing someone and then purposely driving away thinking he could get off scott-free!? Sorry, but 3.5 years is not enough for so many bad decisions. He’ll make another wrong decision as noted by the second comment above. Minimum 10 years.

Kyle September 19, 2023 (2:11 pm)

Interesting that the young man that drove through the protest on I-5, killing a protester, was given 6 years. For some reason, the hit and run of Robb seems worse to me, and he’s given half of that sentence. Hard to understand how and why things work the way they do these days.

Skeptic September 19, 2023 (2:15 pm)

I’ll go one step further. If a cyclist is run over and killed and the driver of the vehicle leaves the scene, the DA should assume it was intentional and prosecute accordingly. Mr. Yusef is going to claim it was an accident to get leniency from the courts because he was implicated. It is absolutely possible he meant to hit Mr. Mason and should face murder charges. Based on the sentencing recommendation, the DA has chosen to believe this was an accident. It could be murder: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/las-vegas-prosecutors-seek-charge-teen-driver-adult-intentional-hit-ru-rcna105550

Jay September 19, 2023 (2:23 pm)

Of course, car accidents are inevitable and pedestrian and cyclist lives are worthless. It’s so frustrating to see this situation play out over and over with the perpetrator getting a slap on the wrist for killing someone.

biker who saw this happen. September 19, 2023 (2:30 pm)

I am an everyday bike commuter on this bike route and was unfortunately the only one who saw everything that happened and it has been and continues to be a very traumatic event in my life. Mr Yosuf as he passed me going the opposite way before hitting Mr Mason deliberately layed on his horn and accelerator full power as he ran Mr Mason over from behind with absolute malice and in complete control of what he was doing, not an ounce of slowing down before or after I watched him hit Mr Mason who was unaware of what was about to happen from behind.I turned around and rushed to Mr Mason only to watch him die right there on the bike route that I rode this morning and will again this evening on the way home from work.. It was a full on deliberate murder by car with no remorse.. Mr Yosuf did not stop.. did not turn himself in, did everything in his power to evade being caught for this act. It was the worst human behavior I have ever witnessed and the sentence of 3.5 years is an absolute insult to the life of Mr Mason and and absolute threat to the community at large if when he is released still in his early 20’s with all his life ahead of him to continue to think he can get away with murder at will. For the rest of my life I will be looking over my shoulder forever wondering if the person driving the car behind me has a similar attitude towards the life of others.. Mr Yousf fully deserves to not leave prison as a young man. I am writing this only because I was made aware of being able to reach you in the last few hours of time remaining for comment and that in itself is another tragedy as I would love to say more, I would have been available for the trial as the only one alive who saw what he didI am retraumatized again and so upset I can barely type this coherently so apologies for bad writing but my hands are shaking and my brain is on fire with the fear for my ride home tonight.. I will stop and touch the ground where Mohamed Killed Rob and try to find a way to not have fear for my life twice a day for the rest of my life here because of Mr Yusuf.. but I fear I will always carry this with me. Please, please, please do not let this be such a light sentence for taking one man’s life and traumatizing another’s forever.I am 52 years old and I believe Rob was in his 60’s so Mr Yosuf should be held in prison up to a similar age to have the time to think about what he has done. sincerely, upset

D-Mom September 19, 2023 (4:19 pm)

I’m so sorry for what you experienced. I didn’t know Rob, but my heart has broken over this tragedy. I hope your comments made it to the judge in time. Another thing, the driver didn’t seem to be remorseful at all as he continued to speed after knowing what he did and not coming forward.
Cat Girl September 19, 2023 (4:28 pm)

I’m so sorry. I wish I could reach through this screen and hug you. I hope you’re able to get help and support for your PTSD.
ACG September 19, 2023 (5:55 pm)

I’m so sorry you witnessed this horrific event. I hope that you will be able to heal with time. I’m grateful you were with Mr. Mason as a kind friend as he passed. Perhaps as a witness, your information was already presented to the judge. But I think you should still submit this to the email above in the article for a victim impact statement. Your words are very powerful. My thoughts are with you and Mr. Mason’s family and friends.
bolo September 20, 2023 (3:50 pm)

Biker who saw this happen, I am another commuter biker who frequently rides the same route. I believe we met up (chance encounter between bike commuters) a few days after this sad event, at that corner on the east side of the bridge ramp, the afternoon when the news cameraman (pretty sure it was KOMO) was there shooting background footage. After interviewing me he interviewed you and I recall your pained eyewitness descriptions.

How could they not have called on you as an eyewitness?

Guy Olson September 19, 2023 (2:50 pm)

How about a year for every MPH he was over the speed limit?

Tired of the BS September 19, 2023 (3:00 pm)

3.5 years is shocking. Yusuf had no intention on turning himself in after he killed Mason, he was caught. Yusuf would still be free if it wasn’t for the hardwork in tracking him down. That alone should be enough for the King County Prosecutor to go with a harsher sentence.

Lola September 19, 2023 (3:03 pm)

For someone who was trying to hide the fact that he had just killed someone he most certainly should serve a longer sentence. He thought he might get away with it if he kept quiet? I am glad that people followed clues and were able to hold him accountable for what he did to a human life.

CC September 19, 2023 (3:06 pm)

It was bad enough he had house arrest. I really hope the judge gives him an adequate sentence for purposely killing somebody.

WS Resident September 19, 2023 (3:19 pm)

What is the maximum for the standard range for these crimes? Has Claudia shared her thoughts on an appropriate sentence?

J September 19, 2023 (3:48 pm)

I just sent an email to the victims advocate to encourage the judge to sentence Mr. Yusuf to 10 years or more so he has time to reflect on the nature of his character, one that would leave a human after hitting him with his car—and also to reflect on the nature of his reckless driving, and how that is an anti-civic act. I encourage others to also take just a minute to send an email to the victims advocate. I don’t know the family and I don’t know Mr. Yusuf, but I am a citizen that would feel better if Mr. Youssef had that long period of time to reflect upon himself, and perhaps as he turns older, would come back to us as a better citizen.

Kt September 19, 2023 (3:52 pm)

This sentence is something Ann Davidson would have campaigned against when she was running for the office.

WSB September 19, 2023 (5:09 pm)

Just so everyone is clear, the city attorney has no jurisdiction in a case like this – it’s a felony case, so it’s a King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office case, and the sentencing guidelines are in state law.

BB September 19, 2023 (3:58 pm)

The guy was traveling twice the speed limit and left Robb Mason to die and they are recommending 41 months in jail? This is sickening.

Jay September 19, 2023 (4:10 pm)

In addition to posting here, please take a moment to contact KCPAO
victim advocate Kaili Brown at kaibrown@kingcounty.gov by the
end of today, as noted in the WSB article. Mr. Yusuf drove like a maniac,
killing an innocent man, then fled the scene, never reporting the death or
calling the police.He KNEW what he had done. The recommended
sentence is absurdly low. I urge the judge and prosecutor to reconsider their
recommendation. Mr. Yusef is a danger to the public. So what if this is his
first KNOWN offense? All offenders have a “first” offense.

WS Resident September 19, 2023 (5:37 pm)

Done ✔️

Orb September 19, 2023 (4:15 pm)

Just emailed the contact person in the article. 3.5 years is egregious and sickening. Criminals need to know they can’t just drive recklessly, flee the scene, leave a man to die in the streets and their widows to try and uphold justice alone. I have no words for this injustice.

anonyme September 19, 2023 (4:29 pm)

Absolutely outrageous. As stated by the witness, this was NOT an accident. Even if it was, this is a ridiculous sentence. It’s bad enough that this guy has been on home monitoring (what a joke) and now he gets to essentially walk away from murder. What part of 41 months will he actually serve? The victim’s family must be horrified. Please, everyone, email the advocate and let the judge know that this is not acceptable.

Sharon Weller September 19, 2023 (5:29 pm)

Yes, as a relative I am outraged that this murderer is getting a slap on the hand for killing Robb. This is absolutely unacceptable!

Admiral-2009 September 19, 2023 (5:41 pm)

Only 3.5 year’s behind bars is an affront to all bicyclists. The perp was driving recklessly and left the scene of the crime. Yusuf belongs behind bars for a long long time and be put on daily work detail, preferably hard labor.

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy September 19, 2023 (5:47 pm)

I don’t remember the last time I wrote a letter to a government, victim representative, or court official. But you’re damn right I just wrote the victim advocate email listed in this story. That he should get off with a low end sentence is absolutely horrible given the circumstances. I didn’t argue for max sentence or middle range sentence. But given the circumstances low end of the sentencing guideline given the stated facts is so…sad and maddening. From a cyclist and vehicle owner/driver.

Kassandra September 20, 2023 (10:22 pm)

Me too. I did it but I only read about this today so I hope my email still gets considered for something.

DoTheRightThing September 19, 2023 (6:10 pm)

I, too, wrote the victim advocate and hope my letter is passed along to the judge. In my mind, if you are not incensed by the potential shortening of this sentence, you need to check your empathy level for the friends, family, coworkers and cyclists that were, and continued to be, affected by this completely avoidable tragedy.I know neither the victim nor the individual who has plead guilty, but I’d like to think I know right from wrong and in my opinion, three short years is beyond wrong considering an innocent person lost his life and many others have been permanently impacted because of a series of poor decisions on one fateful afternoon.I feel for the friends and family of Mr. Mason and for what our society is coming to when we see potential sentences shortened like this. I asked the judge to do the right thing. I’d like to think if enough people reach out to her, maybe she will consider our collective views in her final sentencing decision.

Rara September 19, 2023 (8:57 pm)

He will do the time. While we may not agree on sentencing, let’s hope he learns something while he’s there. For the better.

Alki resident September 19, 2023 (9:35 pm)

Robb was my massage therapist years ago. He was truly the nicest guy around. I was shocked when they announced his name in this fatality and can say I’m might be equally shocked at this low sentence. It was bad enough that the guy who hit him was not arrested right away but then once he was located, got three square meals and all the tv and video games he wanted from HOME. Sitting at home on detention. And to add more insult, he might serve less than FOUR years. His wife has to be feeling like she’s living in a twilight zone. Our court system once again is failing our victims in our city. WHY?? WHY??

NotMyUsualHandle September 19, 2023 (11:34 pm)

Unfortunately a light sentence is probably the best outcome that can be had in this situation. The alternative was for Yusuf to be judged by a jury of car drivers. I expected an unsatisfactory outcome like this the moment I saw one of the photos released from the Metro video, showing Yusuf had the green light. A jury trial would have featured an orgy of victim blaming pandering to the car-driving jury. Likely the prosecutor considered this risk.

Foop September 20, 2023 (12:39 am)

Take his license for life. This man should never drive again.

Rhonda September 20, 2023 (1:32 am)

PLEASE use your anger to force our state representatives to increase prison sentences and mandatory minimums for dangerous criminals like Mr. Yusuf. The life you save may be your own or a loved one’s.

Wow… September 20, 2023 (4:44 am)

Wow. What a message to send to all the other completely reckless punks out there. This punishment absolutely does not fit the crimes committed and admitted to. There is also a civil route to pursue, I suppose, even though he likely has no money. Still, ensuring every paycheck is taxed for the rest of of his days may be the only long-term way to achieve some form of accountability.

TakeThisAndRunWithIt September 20, 2023 (11:56 am)

Where are the commenters that were all over the STP post saying that “Vision Zero” is a fantasy? Well, this is the reality you want, car drivers. These are the bodies you are willing to throw away to maintain this status quo. Like others have commented, if you are confused about the light sentence, take a look at the history of car driving being legally protected. The normalcy of deviancy is the reason people feel empowered to speed and own the road in a car. This is the logical conclusion of a society that minimizes speeding (“my speeding is moral!”) and reckless driving (“let me just swerve around this person trying to turn on the left”), and fails to dedicate any isolated right-of-ways for non-car options. This is an incredibly sad event. It isn’t the first, it won’t be the last, but we can change our environment and community IF we are willing and able to sacrifice artificial conveniences for the few.

Rhonda September 20, 2023 (2:19 pm)

If you can’t understand the difference between a reckless driver going twice the speed limit while intoxicated on THC and a law-abiding, sober driver, then you have no position worth discussing.
- bill September 20, 2023 (8:19 pm)
  
  So Rhonda, show me a law-abiding driver in West Seattle. Do you really keep to 25 on 35th or Fauntleroy or Admiral?
- TakeThisAndRunWithIt September 21, 2023 (1:14 am)
  
  It’s pretty telling that you summarize what I see as reckless driving (speeding, passing illegally to save a few seconds) as “law-abiding” b/c it aint. Tho I am always happy to see a fresh Rhonda strawman drop in the comments! This accident didn’t happen in a vacuum. Have you lived here at all? Cyclist, pedestrians, and other drivers have all been killed around here at alarming rates, but people balk at speed cameras or other infringements on their normalized deviant car behaviors. Literally within the same week a non-impaired driver killed a kid in a crosswalk (https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/young-bicyclist-hit-killed-by-car-in-parkland). What’s to explain this? I know b/c I experience it every day walking around here: car drivers will pick and chose which signals they abide to. What’s the cause of that? Wasn’t intoxication. The DoL says to yield at signal lights. Oh, I know: it’s b/c we promote cars in society to the point that mild inconvenience like waiting for a ped at a signal is too much to be burdened w/. The kid was in the street, and streets are for cars! This is all symptoms of the same issue: car culture. And until you can understand that, you’ll continue to be a blight on an equitable transportation system. Unlike you, I think we can change things for the better; not just write this off as one bad instance of an individual going too far like Americans just love to believe so they don’t have to address systemic change that’ll upset the privileged lifestyle they are accustom to.

Brian Feusagach September 20, 2023 (12:14 pm)

I doubt the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has the resources to read through all these comments – so I hope everyone has sent a copy of their posting to the judge as noted in this article (” …. anyone who wants to send a message to the judge before the sentencing can do so by the end of today via KCPAO victim advocate Kaili Brown at kaibrown@kingcounty.gov.”)

Guy Olson September 21, 2023 (8:56 am)

I sent one, I wonder if they will be read aloud in court?
- WSB September 21, 2023 (9:37 am)
  
  Generally speaking, from covering many sentencings, the only time something is read aloud is if it’s from the victim or, if a fatality case, a victim’s parent/spouse, etc. But I’ve heard judges often say in open court that they did receive many community messages and read them.

anonyme September 20, 2023 (2:24 pm)

I wonder how many emails the advocate received, and if they will in any way affect the sentencing?

Karen B September 20, 2023 (9:20 pm)

Unfortunately, I missed the deadline last evening, but did send a note to the victim’s advocate today so at least she will know that one more person cares and is outraged by the thought of such a minimal sentence. Wondering if there is any other mechanism for submitting comments to the judge between now and Friday’s sentencing?

Sorry, comment time is over.