UPDATE 12/17/19: A van crashed into the front of a busy Ross Dress for Less store located at 15716 1st Ave South in Burien (map below), injuring eleven people Monday night, Dec. 16, 2019.

Here’s more from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

Monday night, Dec. 16, 2019, a van crashed through the front of a Ross Dress for Less store in Burien, injuring nearly a dozen people including an infant and toddler.

The incident began at 9:15 p.m., when a 49-year old female left the store at 15700 BLK 1 AVE S, after stealing a few items described as “knick knacks.”

She got into the passenger seat of a white 1998 Dodge van. As the driver, a 51-year old male, left the parking lot he struck a parked car and careened through the front windows. The van traveled 40 feet in to the store, striking several people along the way.

A total of 11 patients were transported to the hospital. 7 people went to nearby Highline Hospital, including an infant who had bumps and bruises. 1 patient went to Valley Medical Center and 3 went to Harborview Medical Center.

The most critically injured is a 2-year old child, who was pinned by the van as it came to rest. The toddler’s 41-year old grandfather, and an unrelated male in his 30’s, were also critically hurt.

When deputies arrived, the 2-year old did not have a pulse. The quick actions of deputies, fire personnel and King County medics revived the toddler. He remains in critical condition at HMC.

The 51-year old male was booked into jail on investigation of vehicular assault and DUI (drugs). A search warrant was obtained for the driver’s blood and the results are pending.

The 49-year old female passenger was booked into jail for an unrelated Theft 3 warrant.

The investigation into the vehicular assault is ongoing.

From photos taken at the scene, it appears that a white van rammed through the windows located just to the right of the front doors, where it struck the victims.

According to the company website, during the holidays the store is open until 1:30 a.m.

AUDIO
Below is audio of the emergency workers at the scene (starts around 18:20):

As we gather more information, we’ll update this post…


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