A Van has crashed into a Burien clothing shop causing at least 13 People highly Injured state.
In what is presumed as influence of alcohol, a driver has been arrested in connection to the accident according to according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred around 9:15 p.m. in the Five Corners Shopping Center, 15700 block of First Avenue South.
A 2-year-old boy, the child’s 41-year-old grandfather and a man in his 30s were critically injured, said sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ryan Abbott. They were taken to Harborview Medical Center, and the mother of the child, who was in the store but not injured, is there with her family, Abbott said.
The rest of the victims were taken to local hospitals, some as a precaution, Abbott said.
A woman shoplifted from the store and mounted the van’s passenger seat, according to the sheriff’s office. The driver then accelerated forward at a high speed, striking an unoccupied vehicle, Abbott said, before careening into the shop.
“Why exactly at this time is unclear,” Abbott said.
Shoppers fled the shop as the van hit multiple pedestrians and pushed against objects in the store a stroller the 2-year-old was in, Abbott said. The child had to be pulled out by witnesses.
The driver, who is about 40 years old, was arrested on suspicion that he was under the influence of drugs. On an unrelated warrant, Abbott said, the female passenger was charged.
Detectives were on the scene on Monday night and will study surveillance footage
A vehicle crashed into the Ross in Burien 15700 BLK 1 AVE S. 4 patients critical, 6 others being treated. I’m heading to the scene and will update when I arrive.
— King County Sheriff's Office PIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 17, 2019
A white van inside the shop, surrounded by windows, could be seen at the scene. The Ross shop usually opens at around 10 p.m., but remains open until 1:30 a.m. For shoppers on holiday.
As more information becomes available, this article will be updated.
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