Police-car-ramming suspect Sothany Sok charged with 5 crimes

Four counts of second-degree assault and one count of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle are the charges just filed against 37-year-old Sothany Sok of West Seattle. He’s the man arrested on the north end of Delridge Way SW (right) after police finally stopped him, following a pursuit that started at Don Armeni and proceeded west along Harbor/Alki Avenues, then east again, and under the bridge, with four police cars getting rammed along the way. We reported on the incident Sunday, and then followed up Monday on his bail getting set at $30,000; today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked that it be raised to $100,000, and the judge granted that request. Sok is due in King County Superior Court for arraignment on July 25th.

Says Me July 11, 2012 (4:50 pm)

I can say I know him and that he like this from long term “partying” wheres his friends when they figured out he needed help and had mental issues? blame the friends and family they all knew what was going on.

MEJ July 11, 2012 (5:22 pm)

When Mr. Sok gets back on his meds (just prior to arraignment, of course), the following definitions might help him appreciate why he is a danger to himself and others:

* Reckless disregard: Grossly negligent behavior without concern for danger to others.

* Reckless endangerment: When one recklessly engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person.

* Reckless indifference: when one’s conduct is so wanton, so deficient in a moral sense of concern, so lacking in regard for the life or lives of others, and so blameworthy as to warrant the same criminal liability as that which the law imposes upon a person who intentionally causes a crime.

Harry_Reems July 11, 2012 (5:26 pm)

Why blame the family and friends? Mr. Sok was the person who chose not to take his medications and who chose to ram police cars. There is only so much friends or family can do to help a person, eventually we all need to be held accountable for our own actions.

Now I understand the rims on his SUV July 11, 2012 (5:32 pm)

It seems this guy has a gang history. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19931206&slug=1735588

Krm66 July 11, 2012 (6:16 pm)

If he is mentally ill due to his choice of partying, then I still have no sympathy for him. He made several choices that endangered the rest of us.

West Seattleite July 11, 2012 (6:39 pm)

Have fun in jail, Mr. Sok. I hope you are there for a long time.

JoAnne July 11, 2012 (8:14 pm)

I hope no judge lets him off easy because he claims mental illness. Of the many people who are truly mentally ill, very few would engage in extreme aggressive behavior.
.
It’s no excuse.

coffee July 11, 2012 (8:45 pm)

I am glad the bail was raised as I thought it was a bit low. As for the mental health and off meds, many people who are on medications for mental health issues stop taking them because they “feel better” and think they no longer need them, which as we all know is wrong. Plus there are many web sites that try to steer people to a “natural” approach which again is not good. I am not defending him or his actions rather giving another view of mental health issues.

westside July 11, 2012 (9:50 pm)

Went to West Seattle high with him, he was a good dude, started hanging out with gangsters which was the thing to do in the early 90s. When his friend got shot and killed right next to him in his car he started having some real mental problems. Hopefully they can help him.

West side

Says Me July 11, 2012 (11:04 pm)

The blaming of family is cuz I know that family and hear complaints from inlaws that say sothanys mama pays for that SUV eventhow she know he crazy and she does so cuz she scared of him. and the friends cuz they put him in that position, they sure loved using and abusing him til he was low and broke thats for sure.

Says Me July 11, 2012 (11:09 pm)

With all honesty he is a cool guy, he would give the shirt off his back or his last dollar just to help even a stranger.

Art Critic July 12, 2012 (1:49 am)

http://natashatracy.com/mental-illness-issues/dont-people-get-help-mental-illness/

Nick July 12, 2012 (7:56 am)

I don’t really care if people think he’s a “good guy” or not. He must be held accountable for what he did. If anyone was on Delridge that day, it was quite frightening to have this guy flying down the center lane at 80+ in that Black Escalade and swerving all over the place. Here’s hoping the biggest thing he can drive in the future is a tricycle.

As for mental issues being caused by a Gang-Banger friend getting shot, that’s no excuse for being a d-bag either. He made the decision to participate in the gang lifestyle, not anyone else. It’s time that we stop making excuses for other peoples bad behavior.

bridge to somewhere July 12, 2012 (8:44 am)

Ah yes, one of those classic “Gang member who gets busted for DV and assaults citizens and police” but “would give you the shirt off his back” stories.

cr July 12, 2012 (9:02 am)

well played bridge

Jun-jun July 12, 2012 (10:31 am)

Spare me the “he’s a good kid” crap. When you endanger the lives of innocent citizens, there is no excuse for that. And for people who think they can elude police, sooner or later you will get caught, with more serious consequences.

T-Rex July 12, 2012 (10:58 am)

MTV and most rap music portay gangsters as cool and rich. Then you join a gang and your buddy gets killed right next to you. Then you relaize your baggy pants and that crap music that you listen to isn’t all it is suppose to be is it?

Joining a gang in the 90’s was the thing to do? Really? He needs to get off his pity pot, get some mental HELP and straighten up. If jail does not scare him, then he will get what he deserves.

No pity here.

West July 12, 2012 (11:57 am)

I think when people comment he is a good guy, it is to shed some light into understanding he was not always a crazy @sshole. And my cousin knows this guy and he has actually witnessed two of his friends killed in front of his face, one in high school and another accidentally shot himself in the head 5 or so year ago. This has mentally affected him whether he knows it or not, we just want him to get the help he needs and yes in the process be held accountable.

And the gang association comments he knew gang members, if you went to school in seattle everyone knew atleast one. He did not deserve to get chased down and shot at because of his friends jacket color.

alkiobserver July 12, 2012 (4:24 pm)

Spot on observation Bridge to Somewhere. Spot on. My sentiments exactly.

West Seattleite July 12, 2012 (7:18 pm)

Sounds like a good guy who has become a jerk. At best. More like a big menace to society. Sorry, pal. You will see a lot of “good guys” in jail. Enjoy these friendships. Punk.

someone July 13, 2012 (11:40 pm)

Everyone is so quick to be the judge and jury! No one is saying he wasn’t wrong in what he did,certainly not me but with out experienceing what he has don’t act like its no big deal to have your friend killed in front of you! That would make me crazy too! Bottom line is he is sick and needs mental help! Most times its too late before everybody including himself knows that! I’ve olny known him for a while and liked him because he was a nice person and can be a hard worker and I didn’t judge him ! Its so easy to damn those who have done wrong but not so easy to understand why they do it and help them!