Kent police say they’re investigating the death of a 25-year-old mother, who was struck and killed by the driver of a SUV in a crosswalk as she pushed her two children in a stroller, as vehicular homicide.
Security video obtained by KIRO 7 from a nearby store showed the SUV plow into the woman, the force knocking the stroller over, as strangers rushed to help the children.
Police say the woman’s two young children were not hurt.
The incident shortly after 2 p.m. led to a full road closure on East Smith Street between North Kennebeck and Central Avenue North.
Police confirmed the mother had the “walk” signal as she crossed the street in the crosswalk. She died after being rushed to Harborview Medical Center.
Investigators said the SUV driver, a 66-year-old woman who lives in Black Diamond, was making a left turn from State Avenue North onto East Smith Street when the woman was in the crosswalk going northbound. The SUV turned left and hit and dragged the woman about 35 feet, investigators said.
Nurse Pam Fox said the woman had just left a nearby clinic.
"It's horrible, it's tragic,” said Fox. "This intersection is horribly dangerous, we've almost been hit ourselves."
Fox said the clinic has warned patients in the past about the intersection, and some nurses have been given reflective clothing as a safety measure for crossing the street.
A KIRO 7 crew stopped by a Black Diamond home address Wednesday night connected to the SUV
involved in the crash and a woman briefly answered the door, without speaking, before shutting it.
Officials have not released the name of the woman killed.
More news from KIRO 7
- Police: Woman scammed by Washington State Fair vendors who sold package to spa that doesn't exist
- Yet another blood pressure medication recalled over cancer risk
- Armed security guard who stopped bar shooting killed by responding police officer
- Shots fired at Airbnb rental in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood
- Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com