4 minors in stolen car injured after late-night collision

The suspect driver ran a red light on Rainier Avenue in Renton, then collided with a vehicle heading west on Airport Way.

By Bailey Jo Josie bailey.jo.josie@rentonreporter.com • March 8, 2023 12:30 pm
The driver of the victim vehicle — a 2015 Toyota Highlander — did not sustain any serious injuries from the collision. Photo courtesy of Renton Police Department
The driver of the victim vehicle — a 2015 Toyota Highlander — did not sustain any serious injuries from the collision. Photo courtesy of Renton Police Department

Renton Police are investigating a two-car collision that seriously injured five people on Tuesday night.

Just before midnight on Tuesday, March 7, police responded to the scene where a stolen Kia carrying five passengers ran a red light heading north on Rainier Avenue and collided with a 2015 Toyota Highlander, driving westbound on Airport Way.

According to Renton Police, the force of the crash caused the suspect vehicle to careen into the parking lot of the Renton Laundry on Rainier Avenue.

The driver of the stolen Kia, an 18-year-old man, was left with minor injuries while four of the five passengers — all minors — were sent to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle due to more serious injuries. One passenger was intubated at the scene of the collision.

The driver of the Toyota, who had no other passengers in her vehicle, appeared to have only minor injuries, police say.

After being medically cleared from Valley Medical Center in Renton, the suspect driver was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, two counts of vehicular assault, and five counts of reckless endangerment.

This is an ongoing investigation.