Stolen car rollover crash in Kent leaves several injured; teen driver arrested

A 16-year-old boy was arrested for car theft and vehicular assault after a high-speed chase ended in a rollover crash that left multiple people injured, Kent Police said.

The incident began at 9:08 p.m. on Monday night, June 17, 2024 when Kent Patrol Officers were dispatched to the 12900 block of SE Kent Kangley Road (map below) following a report of a stolen blue PT Cruiser. The vehicle’s owner called 911, stating that two suspects had taken her car after pretending to be prospective buyers.

Officer Green located the stolen vehicle traveling westbound on SE 256th Street near 132nd Avenue and attempted a traffic stop. However, the stolen vehicle sped away. Due to heavy traffic, Officer Green did not pursue and deactivated his emergency lights near 124th Avenue and SE 256th Street.

Minutes later, patrol units found the stolen vehicle overturned at the intersection of SE 256th Street and 116th Avenue. The PT Cruiser had collided with an Audi Q5 and a Toyota Corolla, causing significant damage to both.

Medical personnel were immediately called to the scene. The occupants of the Audi were not seriously injured. However, the driver of the Toyota, a 47-year-old Kent man, sustained multiple broken bones and was treated at the scene by Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority firefighters before being transported to a local hospital. His passenger, an 18-year-old Kent woman, was critically injured and also transported to a local hospital.

The 16-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle was seen climbing out of the overturned car and was quickly detained by officers. Despite managing to exit the vehicle on his own, his injuries were severe enough to require hospital treatment. Witnesses positively identified him as the suspect who stole the vehicle.

A second suspect, an unidentified teen or young adult male, was trapped inside the stolen car and had to be extricated by fire personnel. He was transported in critical condition to a local hospital, where his current condition remains unknown.

The Kent Police Traffic Unit responded to the scene and is investigating the circumstances that led up to the accident.

Due to the significant nature of the injuries, the suspect is being investigated for Vehicle Assault in addition to Theft of a Motor Vehicle.