SEATTLE — A 74-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection to a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a recreational vehicle (RV) in South Seattle’s Rainier View neighborhood that left a woman dead.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Thursday in the 11000 block of 68th Avenue South, just outside the Seattle city limits. According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, a witness called 911 to report that a woman had been struck by a vehicle and was pinned underneath it. The driver had fled the scene.
Woman Killed at the Scene
The 45-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not been officially released. The vehicle involved, a 1999 white Royal Classic RV, also reportedly smashed into several parked cars in a driveway before speeding away.
After the crash, the Washington State Patrol issued a statewide alert, sharing the RV’s license plate and describing heavy damage to its passenger side. Troopers warned the public that the vehicle had last been seen heading south on 68th Avenue South.
RV Spotted Near North Bend
Nearly 17 hours later, the vehicle was spotted around 3:15 p.m. Friday traveling eastbound on Interstate 90 near North Bend. Multiple drivers called 911 to report the sighting. Responding officers were able to locate and stop the RV without incident.
The driver was arrested on the spot and later booked into King County Jail for investigation of vehicular homicide and/or felony hit-and-run, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are now working to determine what led to the fatal crash. The King County Sheriff’s Office and Major Accident Response and Reconstruction Team (MARR) are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether drugs or alcohol may have played a role.
Community Response
Neighbors expressed shock at the sudden violence in their typically quiet residential street. Several residents reported hearing a loud crash and running outside to find the victim pinned beneath the RV. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, the woman could not be saved.
Officials are asking anyone with surveillance footage or additional information about the crash to contact the King County Sheriff’s Office.
As the investigation continues, the tragic incident serves as another reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of staying at the scene after a collision.
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