(photo by Paul Sureddin, taken early 2008)
It’s been more than a month since we found out that a Beacon Hill crash had left West Seattle restaurateur Wah Wong, 67, and his 22-year-old son Jason Wong badly hurt. Wah Wong’s one-man labor of love Jade West Cafe (map) has been closed ever since; well-wishers have put cards on the door; and a fund has been set up. Tonight, new information in this writeup sent to news organizations by Wah Wong’s daughter Janet Wong:

After many surgeries and over a month of being in the hospital, 22-year old Jason Wong will finally be released from the hospital since his accident.

On December 12th, Jason was helping take luggage out of his dad’s trunk when out of a nowhere a 1998 black Chevy Corvette came barreling down on South Columbian Way. The Corvette veered off the street and struck both Jason and father, Wah Wong, in their front yard pinning the two between the front of the Corvette and their own car. The family later learned the driver was drunk. The drunk driver was arrested and booked in the King County Jail.

Despite the release from the hospital, it will take many months to rehabilitate his foot. Jason’s left leg was so badly injured that his left leg was amputated. The family’s hope is for Jason to walk again.

Sister, Janet Wong, says, “He has been bedridden for the last month and will continue to be for the next few months. As soon as his leg is healed, he will need to be fitted for a prosthetic. Then rehabilitation will begin. The timing is a little tricky since he is unable to use his right foot. He will be able to do some kind of rehabilitation, but the big question is how much and how soon. We see long and intensive rehabilitation for Jason’s future.”

Jason’s Father, Wah Wong, is currently at Leon Sullivan Skilled Nursing Facility. Wah had leg surgery two weeks ago and is now in a cast. He continues to wear a neck brace for his fractured vertebrae, which will be removed in the next week or so. There is no discharge date for him at this time.

“We hope to have my dad home soon so he can recover comfortably there. Otherwise, things are progressing well for him and he will possibly need a little physical therapy,” says Janet.

Wah has been running the family restaurant, Jade West Café, for the last 22 years. Wah mostly runs the restaurant by himself. He does everything from cooking to cleaning to tending to his customers. Over the many years, he has built a solid customer base with many loyal customers who return to enjoy his food and friendship. Due to the accident, he will not be ready to return to work for another few months, if at all.

In the meantime, the house will undergo some renovations to accommodate Jason.

If you would like to help, please donate to “Save Jade West Café” at any Wells Fargo Bank. Your donations will help to cover mounting medical bills for the family.

The driver charged with vehicular assault in the case, 50-year-old Rodney James, remains in King County Jail, bail set at $250,000. Online court records indicate another pretrial hearing in his case is scheduled this week.

That card expressing get-well wishes for Jade West proprietor Wah Wong is now posted on the door of his cafe’, thanks to WSB’er “Grrr,” who says Harborview Medical Center told him the restaurateur is no longer in the hospital. We will work with Harborview media relations Monday to verify that. As reported here a week ago, Wah Wong was injured along with his wife and son when a suspected drunk driver hit them outside their Beacon Hill home two weeks ago. We don’t have new reports on the status of the rest of the family, but we do know the driver, 50-year-old Rodney D. James, is still in jail, in lieu of $250,000 bail. Meantime, if you want to sign the get-well card, you will find it taped to the cafe door at 6032 California SW (with a pouch of pens alongside). MONDAY AFTERNOON: As promised, we’ve checked with Harborview, whose media-relations department confirms that Wah Wong is out of the hospital; son Jason Wong is still there, and listed in satisfactory condition; Salina Wong, while reported to have been injured in the crash, was not admitted to Harborview, according to the spokesperson.

Two weeks after that “For Lease” sign went up at West Seattle’s Jade West Café, finally confirming its chef/owner Wah Wong would not be coming back, we have a long-sought update from the Wong family. Wah’s wife Salina Wong replied to one of our messages with an update to share with the community. The update includes good news for their son Jason, who lost a leg after a drunk driver hit him and his dad outside their Beacon Hill home almost a year ago:

Wah had recovered from his injuries after intensive rehabilitation and heavy medication closely monitored by the medical teams of Harborview MC and Group Health. In May 2010, Wah underwent a surgery due to the infection caused by the metal implants embedded in his injured leg. He went through an 8-week procedure of home care IV medication and finally recovered. He began relearning how to walk, slowly but surely. Our primary concern for Wah is his health, and in doing so, Wah has decided to retire from Jade West Café—along with his passion for cooking. He will surely miss serving his customers, chatting with his regulars, and being part of the West Seattle community.

A “For Lease” sign was put up last week at Jade West Cafe with the intention to reopen the shop as soon as possible. We started receiving phone calls from many interested parties and we are specifically looking for a chef who is capable of carrying on the legacy of Wah’s Café. When a new tenant is chosen, we will inform you.

As regards to our son, Jason, he is also recovering from the injuries and doing well. He strives to walk with his prosthesis progressively. We are very proud of him being so positive, determined, and courageous to move forward to a better life. With God’s will and blessings, he has humbly accepted a job offer from The Boeing Company as a product review engineer. We all wish him tremendous success, good health, and a bright future.

Please accept our sincere gratitude for all the heartfelt love and thoughtfulness from everyone in West Seattle who continuously offer support and keep our family in their prayers. Without your support, we cannot have gotten this far.

Cordially,

Salina Wong & Family

The Jade West Café north of Morgan Junction has remained closed since the drunk-driving crash last December that left longtime proprietor Wah Wong and his son Jason Wong seriously injured. (The drunk driver who hit them pleaded guilty and was sentenced last February.) We’ve been trying to reach the family for a while for a followup – but today, something new arrived in the inbox, with a fast-approaching deadline: The ongoing Pepsi Refresh “vote for a project Pepsi will fund” promotion has partnered with Major League Soccer, and each team proposed a project. The Seattle Sounders‘ project seeks to get the $50,000 Pepsi grant to renovate the Wongs’ Beacon Hill home, to help with the mobility issues they’ve suffered because of the crash injuries – Jason lost a leg. WSB’er Ben forwarded us a Sounders e-mail about this – the first he, and we, had heard of it – but take note, THE VOTING DEADLINE IS 8:59 PM OUR TIME TONIGHT. You can vote here.

Thanks to Kathy for sending us this flyer, which she also plans to post on the door of the Jade West Café, closed since a drunk driver hit proprietor Wah Wong and his son Jason outside their Beacon Hill home almost 3 months ago: Friends have organized a fundraising lunch and silent auction next month, to help the family with expenses including medical bills – as just one example, the flyer mentions that a prosthetic leg for Jason, who lost part of one leg, could cost up to $50,000.

The benefit will be noon-4 pm April 11 at Perché No Pasta and Vino, 1319 North 49th (map). Tickets are $35 for a three-course meal, live music and the silent auction. They’re still taking donations for the silent auction, and also accepting contributions if you can’t attend the event but would like to help; call Chris at 206-227-7943 or Daniel at 206-409-9590. Kathy, who sent the flyer, says she’s hoping West Seattle businesses might consider contributing.

(Our archived coverage of the Wong family’s story, including last month’s sentencing of the drunk driver and West Seattleites’ outpouring of well-wishes after first news of the crash, can be read here, in reverse chronological order.)

ORIGINAL 11:46 AM REPORT: New information on how to help Jade West Cafe owner Wah Wong, badly hurt when a driver hit him and his wife and son outside their Beacon Hill home December 12 (as reported here December 19). “Family Friend” added the following as a comment last night on our most recent update:

The family has set up an account at Wells Fargo Bank. Anyone who wants to help Wah Wong and his family can visit any Wells Fargo branch and make a donation in the name of “Jade West Cafe”. The family thanks everyone for their support.

(There are two Wells Fargo branches in West Seattle – 2358 California SW and 4314 SW Alaska.) Other WSB’ers pointed out in the same comment thread that two TV stations, 5 and 13, did followups last night; neither has its video online as of this writing. We have a note out to “Family Friend” to see if there’s any more info to share. Meantime, there are now two get-well cards on the door of the cafe (6032 California SW). The driver charged with vehicular assault for hitting the Wong family, Rodney James, has been in jail since the night it happened, bail set at $250,000. (Photo of Wah Wong at Jade West Cafe, taken in early 2009 by Paul Sureddin) ADDED 1:53 PM: Wah Wong’s wife has asked us to share this message with well-wishers:

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank everyone in the West Seattle Community who have sent their support, prayers and well wishes to my husband, Wah and son, Jason who were seriously injured on December 12, 2009. They are both stable at this time and will receive surgeries in the coming week at Harborview Medical Center. We appreciate your continued outpouring of support and care.

Sincerely,
Salina Wong

5:36 PM UPDATE: The KING5 story is now available online, including the story video – see it here.

That’s the subject line of the e-mail in which WSB’er “Grr” sent the photo shown above; he had placed a card on the door of the Jade West Cafe a week ago, as noted here, and now that the first card is filled up, he noticed today that someone else has added an even bigger one. “Wah,” of course, is the proprietor of Jade West, Wah Wong, now out of the hospital after being badly hurt when a driver hit him, his son and wife outside their Beacon Hill home on December 12. The driver, Rodney James, is charged with vehicular assault and remains jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail; Wah Wong is out of the hospital but his son Jason Wong, who lost part of a leg in the crash, was still there as of our last check a few days ago. No official word yet on plans for reopening the cafe, long a beloved and quirky one-man operation.

When last we checked in with Youngstown Coffee Company proprietor Zoe, she was testing her Morgan Junction expansion’s food operation. Now, she sent word last night, it’s officially open and ready to go, serving salads and sandwiches in what used to be Harry’s Chicken Joint next door. Speaking of what the space used to be, Zoe adds: “We took down the Jade West sign, but will be cleaning it and putting it up inside the building to honor the memory of it. A new sign should be coming soon.” If you’re new around here, Jade West was a long-beloved cafe, best described here, not long before its proprietor Wah Wong (whose family still owns the building) was seriously hurt in a crash. Back to Youngstown: Starting this week, hours will be Beginning this week, hours for now will be 6:30 am-8 pm Mondays-Fridays, 7 am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Zoe also sent this image of the new menu:

Address: 6032 California SW.

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

It’s time for…Harry’s Chicken Joint!

Well, it’s almost time. Harry’s Chicken Joint (first mentioned here a month ago) will be running delivery-only orders down and across the street to Beveridge Place Pub Thursdays through Saturdays, starting tomorrow. (Patrons there have gotten some samples in recent weeks.) The BPP-delivery-only model will run for approximately a month while the former Meander’s/Jade West space north of Morgan Junction gets a re-do for its new tenant, so there’s no opening date set yet for their sit=down operations.

Harry’s has three items on the BPP-delivery menu for its semi-debut:

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(SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Proprietor Miranda reports via FB that she has signed the lease.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

She’s not sure yet whether it’s a total move or an expansion.

But Miranda Krone, proprietor of Meander’s Kitchen in north Morgan Junction, tells WSB she is signing the lease tomorrow for a space in White Center (the former Papa’s Pub, closed since February, at 9635 16th SW).

If you follow Meander’s on Facebook, you know she’s been talking for the past week-plus about a potential new location – first, maybe Delridge, then, maybe White Center. And now, the decision is in – like Zippy’s Giant Burgers before her, she’s heading south to WC.

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As of about half an hour ago, West Seattle’s newest café is open – Meander’s, in the former Jade West Café at 6032 California SW. As previously reported (here’s our December story), chef Miranda Krone – seen above making fresh whipped cream for French toast – took over the space after Jade West’s Wah Wong decided to retire, still recovering from injuries suffered when a drunk driver hit him on Beacon Hill more than a year ago. (Here’s the Wong family’s message, published here last November.) Meander’s will be open for breakfast, for starters, Tuesdays-Sundays, 8 am-3 pm; we borrowed a menu and will add notes on it shortly. The French toast, for starters, is $6.95: “Three slabs of vanilla bourbon-battered challah grilled and topped with whipped cream, maple syrup on the side.”

ADDED 9:31 AM: Read ahead to see what else is on the menu, and how much it costs (PLUS A FEW MORE NOTES ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT):Read More

(STORY UPDATED 7:15 PM, SCROLL TO END FOR PHOTO FROM CAFE’S PAST)

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Miranda Krone likes to think of her new restaurant as the next chapter in the longrunning story of a small dining spot. She has rented the former Jade West Café (6032 California SW) from owners Salina and Wah Wong and plans to open Meander’s, a breakfast and lunch café, in late January.

One month ago — nearly a year after a drunk driver hit and seriously injured her husband and son — Salina Wong had told WSB that the family was “looking for a chef capable of carrying on the legacy of Wah’s café,” a homey one-person operation. Looks like they found her.

As Miranda pulls up a short stool to sit on and props her feet onto one of the orange vinyl barstools, it’s clear she already feels at home in this cozy space. “It’s awesome about the kitchen (being a part of the dining area). I can interact with the customers while making food!” This, she says, is perfectly suited to her “tendency to mother people.”

With her 13-year-old daughter Chloe looking on, Miranda explains that this space was a perfect solution in many ways, “I’m in my neighborhood” — she lives four blocks away — “I can do what I love, take care of my daughter, and be with people I like.”

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11 months after the drunk-driving crash on Beacon Hill that seriously injured the operator of West Seattle’s Jade West Café and his son, there’s finally, and sadly, a sign of the little restaurant’s fate. Sometime in the past few days, a “FOR LEASE” sign appeared in the closed-since-the-crash café’s window at 6032 California SW. We have not yet reached anyone at the number on the sign; other various inquiries over recent months, by us and others, had gone unanswered, so this is the first verification of what many had feared, that the café would never reopen. The driver who hit Wah Wong and son Jason Wong, who lost a leg as a result, pleaded guilty weeks later and is at Cedar Creek Correctional Center in Littlerock, serving a 2-year sentence (here’s our report from last February’s sentencing hearing).

(WSB photos by Cliff DesPeaux)
That’s Jade West Café fan and West Seattle resident Dave Gross hugging cafe proprietor Wah Wong during Sunday’s fundraising lunch at Wallingford restaurant Perché No Pasta and Vino. Though Wah is using a wheelchair now, the family still hopes they can reopen the treasured West Seattle eatery “soon.” That’s what they told photojournalist Cliff DesPeaux, who covered the event for WSB. A larger-than-expected crowd showed up to offer their support, and to see Wah and son Jason Wong, both badly hurt when a drunk driver hit them in December outside their Beacon Hill home. Jason lost part of a leg:

Monica Tonel, greeting Jason in that photo, is the mother of a basketball player coached by Jason, whose friends organized the fundraiser. More photos ahead:Read More

(Photo courtesy David Rosen, taken last Monday afternoon)

WATER TAXI PARTY: On the first Sunday after its new season began, with a new vessel among other changes, the West Seattle-to-downtown run of the King County Water Taxi (WSB sponsor) throws a party today. Free rides all day, and a special celebration at Seacrest noon-2 pm, including performances by jump-ropers and singers from Lafayette Elementary.

HONK FEST WEST: There’s bound to be dancing in the streets as this raucous live-band event comes to West Seattle for the first time – for free! Venues line The Junction, noon-6 pm; map links and band schedules are here.

JADE WEST CAFE FAMILY BENEFIT: It’s in Wallingford but we know at least one big West Seattle delegation will be there to show support for Wah Wong and son Jason, badly hurt when a drunk driver hit them four months ago: 3-course Italian lunch, silent auction and live music, noon-4 pm at at Perché No Pasta and Vino, 1319 North 49th (map). Here’s our earlier preview.

DOG MAKEOVERS FOR THE CURE: It’s a fundraiser for a local Breast Cancer 3-Day team, and it’s happening 9 am-4 pm at Muttley Crew Cuts – a bake sale as well as dog makeovers! – more details in the WSB Forums.

DELRIDGE PRODUCE COOPERATIVE’S “BORSCHT & BAGELS”: 2:30-4:30 pm at Southwest Youth and Family Services, join DPC for a light lunch and strategy session to plot the next steps in bringing Delridge more fresh fruit and vegetables. Here’s the Facebook event invite.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS MARKET: Asparagus is among the new arrivals as the market holds its regular 10 am-2 pm weekly session at 44th/Alaska. Here’s the Ripe ‘n’ Ready fresh list.

And more on the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!

It’s in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, even though it’s happening in Wallingford, because it’s for a man who’s meant a lot to many West Seattleites – Jade West Café owner Wah Wong. This Sunday is the first major benefit for Wah and son Jason Wong – both seriously injured when a drunk driver hit them last December – and their family. It involves a three-course lunch at Perché No Pasta and Vino, 1319 North 49th (map), with live music and a silent auction, for $35/person. The driver who hit the Wongs has since pleaded guilty and been sentenced, but the family is left with financial challenges, and particularly for Jason, who lost part of a leg, a long road to recovery. Sunday’s your chance to support them. Here’s a Facebook invite for the event.

The Junction fills with music on Sunday afternoon as HONK Fest West brings the third of its three days to our side of the bay (California SW will be closed between Oregon and Alaska) … Sunday is also when the King County Water Taxi (WSB sponsor) throws its grand-opening party, including free rides ALL DAY … And there’s a HUGE number of benefit events this weekend – a fundraiser for Jade West Café proprietor Wah Wong and family, “Borscht and Bagels” for Delridge Produce Cooperative, Dog Makeovers for the Cure, The Kenney‘s annual brunch, WSUU‘s gala dinner, WSHS Grad Night‘s car wash, two animal-advocacy groups teaming up … And to help your summer planning, check out the High Point Youth Activities Fair. Click ahead to see the whole lineup, because from now through Sunday, more than SEVENTY! events/activities are on the list, sponsored by Skylark Cafe and Club, where you’ll find FREE live music and rockin’ food:Read More

Between the winter chill (OK, not that much chill this year) and the summer sun, it’s the perfect season to gather to do good. Some reminders about events coming up in the next few weeks:

FAUNTLEROY CHILDREN’S CENTER DINNER/AUCTION TOMORROW: FCC has even more than usual to celebrate this time around, since the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse purchase closed just a week ago (as reported here), with the center as a major tenant. We checked with director Kim Sheridan – she says they’ve still got a bit of room, so either call today or show up at the door tomorrow (The Hall at Fauntleroy, starting with the silent auction at 5:30); they’re maxed out of the chicken entree but the beef and portobello mushroom options are still available. Full details on this Facebook event page; call 206-932-9590 or e-mail fauntleroychildrenscenter@yahoo.com.

SEATTLE LUTHERAN DINNER/AUCTION NEXT FRIDAY: Head of School Adair Hinds is promising a big announcement during this year’s “Global Connection” event – the official RSVP form deadline just passed, and there’s no school today, but if you’re already good to go, the dinner’s March 12 at SSCC’s Brockey Center.

NATURE CONSORTIUM BENEFIT BRUNCH: Lisa at the NC says just a few spots remain for the 2nd annual brunch on behalf of the organization that’s devoted to forest restoration here in West Seattle. There’s no ticket charge but you’ll be asked to consider making a donation. Noon Sunday, March 14, The Hall at Fauntleroy. RSVP: lisa@naturec.org or 206-923-0853. (WSB is among the event sponsors.)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU SPRING TEA: Hi-Yu’s Deena Mahn says a few tickets are left for the Spring Tea and Silent Auction at 2 pm March 21, also at The Hall at Fauntleroy. It’s a fundraiser for the Miss Hi-Yu Scholarship Program and for the Hi-Yu float, the last Seattle neighborhood festival-powered float on the regional parade circuit. Call 206-937-0263 or e-mail wshiyu@yahoo.com.

BOWL TO “STRIKE OUT HUNGER”: Solid Ground benefits from this bowl-a-thon at West Seattle Bowl on March 27; you can sign up to bowl at 2 or at 4:30. Full details here.

UPDATE ON THE WONG FAMILY FUNDRAISER: We published info yesterday about this April 11 event to help Jade West Café proprietor Wah Wong and family recover from the December crash that seriously hurt Wah and son Jason Wong – and have since received an updated flyer with new information on what’s happening at the lunch/auction — see it here. (And note that organizers would love to have more silent auction items – local businesses that can help out are encouraged to call the numbers on the flyer!)

Lots more in the hopper for many great West Seattle organizations – this is just a sampling of reminders about what’s ahead in the next month or so. Other events are on the WSB Events calendar (and if you don’t see yours, but would like more people to know, please send us the announcement – here’s how).

(1:55 pm summary: Rodney James has been sentenced to the 30 months in prison that prosecutors recommended.)

(WSB photo added 2:02 pm – Rodney James foreground left, the Wong family – from left, Jason, Wah, Salina, Jimmy – background right)
We are in King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector‘s courtroom downtown, along with Jade West Cafe proprietor Wah Wong and his son Jason Wong (plus many relatives and supporters), for the sentencing of Rodney James, the drunk driver who pleaded guilty to vehicular assault in the crash that badly hurt the Wongs two months ago. (The restaurant north of Morgan Junction has been closed ever since, its future still up in the air.) Also here: Three TV crews and a photographer from the Seattle Times (WSB partner) – close to 50 people in all in the courtroom. We are told some family members will address the judge; we’ll publish developments as they happen, with a longer story (including video and photos) later.

1:10 PM: The hearing has begun. The recommended 2 1/2 years is described as an “exceptional sentence.”

(WSB photo added 2:05 pm – Jimmy Wong at left, James’ lawyer at right)
1:16 PM: Jimmy Wong, the eldest son from California, is about to speak, after senior deputy prosecutor Amy Freedheim finished explaining how heinous the case is. “No amount of apology that he says will undo any of the damage that has been done. Mr. James’ actions have ruined my family’s fortune, source of income, my father’s passion, having his own restaurant for 20 years, serving the West Seattle community, that passion’s been taken away from him.” And he is speaking emotionally of his brother, who lost a leg. “The only thing I have left are memories of my brother … dancing at my wedding.” Then, he speaks of the customers of Jade West, who considered it home: “They don’t have a home any more.”

1:22 PM: Salina Wong, Wah’s wife and Jason’s mother, is speaking now. She too is crying. And then, she is angry, and tells James not to repeat the mistake. (added 5:15 pm – video of her testimony)

1:26 PM: Jason Wong, in a wheelchair, is speaking now. “One day I will get over this – but my family won’t. My parents have worked so hard, to see everything crumble in one day.”

1:30 PM: The lawyer for Rodney James is speaking and says he chose to accept “complete responsibility” and “wishes that day had never happened.” She spoke for about four minutes; James is speaking now, saying “I am devastated by this loss and it has affected me a great deal … if I could do this all over again, I would not have gotten in my car on that night.”

1:35 PM: Now the judge is speaking. “But for the heroic act of Jason, his father might not be here today.” She says the court has received 113 letters of support for the Wongs and Jade West. “More letters than I have ever seen, combined, in my 11th year on the bench.” She says the letters express outrage, disbelief, disappointment in the legal system. She calls James’s behavior “outrageous.” She says that James has agreed to factors that make it possible for her to sentence him to more than the standard range of 13 to 17 months. “Some of the letters have asked me to sentence you to the maximum the law permits … that would be 10 years. Some asked for more … even life. The law simply does not allow for that.” (added 2:37 – part of that statement, on video – sorry about all the typing noise)

She says she is aware that the Wong family are “incredible members of our community … Jason had agreed with a degree in aeronautical engineering and was in the process of obtaining a masters in that field … when your car (James’s car) landed in their driveway.” She says that on Wah Wong’s behalf, a former owner of the Jade West even wrote a letter, and “took great pride in seeing how it had grown in reputation throughout the West Seattle community.” She says the letters have been “overwhelming.” And, “No amount of time” will bring back the way the Wongs were .. the way the Jade West was. “Our entire community grieves for your losses, currently and prospectively,” the judge says. She also says she got letters from James’s parents expressing “deep remorse over their son’s actions.” She says toxicology reports now show James’ blood-alcohol level was .19 – higher than the originally reported .16. “The court will sentence you to the original 30 months agreed to,” she says. He also will serve 18 months probation afterward, and a $1,700-plus financial obligation even before a restitution hearing to determine what else he will be ordered to pay. If he gets a driver license in the future, he will have to have a device that will keep his car from starting unless he has less than .02 blood alcohol. She told him a few minutes earlier that he should never drive a car again, and that “if we were in Europe” he would lose his license for life.

1:56 PM: The hearing is concluded. We will see if the Wongs plan to speak to reporters outside the courtroom; we spoke with Jimmy Wong before the hearing, and he wasn’t sure if they would want to.

A reminder today from the family of Jade West Cafe proprietor Wah Wong (left), badly hurt along with son Jason Wong when a drunk driver hit them outside their Beacon Hill home two months ago: 5 pm today is the deadline to send a message supporting the toughest sentence possible when the driver, Rodney James, is sentenced Friday, two weeks after pleading guilty to vehicular assault. (Prosecutors are requesting a two-and-a-half-year sentence.) The request for e-mail support was first made by Wah Wong’s son Jimmy Wong, who spoke with us while visiting from California weekend before last. The family has sent three links for those interested in e-mailing their support: Guidelines for what to write, here; sample statement, here; archive of news stories (just for reference, no need to include in the letter), here. Their reminder e-mail adds:

– You can keep your message short (no need for a LONG essay – a paragraph or two is sufficient)
– You do NOT need to physically sign your letter (just name and date at the end will do)
– If you have any specific questions, feel free to call Diane Priest, our crime victims’ advocate (206-684-7702)

The future of the Jade West Cafe, which Wah Wong ran as mostly a one-man show, remains undetermined; he and Jason are now continuing their recovery at home in Beacon Hill. We plan to be in court to cover the sentencing on Friday.

(Photo in this story is from 2008, courtesy Paul Sureddin)

A month and a half after the Beacon Hill crash that seriously injured Jade West Cafe owner Wah Wong and his son Jason Wong, the drunk driver who hit them has pleaded guilty. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe confirms that 50-year-old Rodney James pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular assault. He is scheduled for sentencing at 1 pm February 12th before King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector, and Donohoe says prosecutors are recommending 30 months in prison (of a possible 10 years).

According to the original charging documents, his blood-alcohol level was .16 at the scene, twice the legal limit, and beer was found inside his car. The crash happened while he was “on a suspended sentence for reckless driving (amended from driving under the influence)” in a case from 11 months earlier, and James also had a record that included escaping from a Pennsylvania maximum-security prison in 1981 (without a description of why he was there). Jason Wong lost a leg after the crash; he and his father are both now home after weeks of inpatient care, but the restaurant’s future is not yet determined.

One thing for sure; The family has a pile of medical bills; donations can be made to the Save Jade West Cafe Fund at any Wells Fargo branch.

As promised over the weekend, we checked today with Harborview Medical Center regarding the status of Jade West Cafe proprietor Wah Wong and his family, hurt two weeks ago when a suspected drunk driver crashed into them outside the family’s Beacon Hill home. WSB’er “Grr” — who put up a get-well card Saturday on the cafe’ door (photo) — reported the hospital told him Wah Wong was out, and indeed, that’s been confirmed, but 22-year-old son Jason Wong is still in the hospital, now listed in satisfactory condition; court documents filed in the case say his left leg was so badly damaged, it had to be amputated below the knee. Wah Wong’s wife Salina Wong was not admitted to Harborview, according to the media relations department, so we don’t know her status. The driver charged with vehicular assault for hitting them, 50-year-old Rodney James, remains in jail, his bail set at $250,000. From court documents, his history is described as follows:

The defendant is currently on a suspended sentence for an reckless driving (amended from driving under the influence) that was sentenced on 1/21/09 in King County District Court … his other known criminal and moving history includes NVOL (7/3/08), DWLS (5/9/03), and speeding (7/3/08). His currently known out-of-state history includes a Fresno, CA VUCSA (8/2/1990) and a Graterford, PA Escape-county prison (1/28/1981). Graterford is Pennsylvania’s largest maximum security prison.

NVOL is “no valid operator’s license”; DWLS is driving with a suspended license; VUCSA is a “controlled substance” (drugs) charge. Meantime, no new info yet on how long Jade West will stay closed.

(photo by Paul Sureddin, taken early 2008, added 11:58 am)
ORIGINAL 2:52 AM REPORT: We will work today to see what more we can find out about this. But wanted to pass along for starters the news from Tom at West Seattle Cellars, who says:

Our good friend and neighbor Wah Wong, proprietor of the fabulous Jade West Cafe, was injured in a terrible traffic accident. Apparently he and his son were struck by a drunk driver, and his wife was also injured. One of my customers at the wine shop came by to tell me that they were at Harborview.

Tom included a link to this Seattle Times (WSB partner) story earlier this week regarding charges in the crash, which happened on Beacon Hill; the original report says the restaurateur and his son were hit in their own driveway. Tom also says “there’s a note on the cafe door (6032 California SW) saying that it’s closed due to ‘injuries’.” We featured Jade West here last February, in an affectionate review written by Fairmount Springs’ Paul Sureddin. 11:49 AM: We went to the cafe’ to look at the note that Tom mentioned. The door also includes a flyer expressing love and get-well wishes for Wah Wong:

The other note on the door says a notice will be posted soon about plans for reopening. 12:17 PM: The note on the door directs inquiries to Dave McDaniel, a neighboring business owner; just talked to him and he hopes to have more information soon on whether the family needs anything and how you can show support. We will publish updates with whatever more we find out.