A tragic, two-car collision on eastbound SR 518 at the intersection of SR 509 resulted in one fatality Saturday afternoon (Oct. 24), according to the Washington State Patrol.
The crash killed Lilliam Portillo, 41, and critically injured her 10-year old son, who was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The offending driver is Manoj Siwakoti, 20, of Kent. He was arrested, and faces vehicular homicide and assault charges.
Police say that Siwakoti ran a red light where eastbound SR 518 begins, and struck Portillo’s car which was turning left towards Burien.
All lanes were closed shortly after the accident, which occurred around 3:08 p.m.
The State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office and Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department personnel were on the scene, and SR 518 was closed for a few hours, and traffic was re-routed from 1st Ave South onto northbound SR 509.
Courtney Donovan Lemus posted this comment to our Facebook page:
I was there on the other side of the road but couldn’t see the driver, just a boy in the front seat. Woman next to me (we were at the stop light and she had a clear view of the whole thing). SUV appeared to jump the red light at high speed to get on the freeway, hitting the Corolla on the drivers side, launching it airborne into the median (which kept it from landing on the car next to me). Plenty of people there to help, didn’t see the driver myself,. I am so very sad for the family, and i hope that the boy recovers.
Red means stop, not rush. I can’t imagine being the person who made that mistake and now has to live with the heartbreaking result.
My driver friend (next to me in the SUV), if you’re reading this, I hope that you made it to your destination safely, you were really shook up.
As we learn more, we’ll update this post (refresh for the latest updates). Here are some relevant Tweets from the WSP:
Troopers are investigating a two vehicle, fatal collision EB SR 518/SR 509 in Burien. Unknown cause at this time. All lanes are closed.
— Trooper Chris Webb (@wspd2pio) October 24, 2015
Traffic is being detoured to SR 509. This will be a lengthy investigation. — Trooper Chris Webb (@wspd2pio) October 24, 2015
Very sad. Driver of victim vehicle died at the scene. Ten year passenger transported with critical injuries.
— Trooper Chris Webb (@wspd2pio) October 24, 2015
Causing driver may have gone through a red light at intersection of SR 509 and SR 518. Thanks to Sgt. Sweetman for the update. — Trooper Chris Webb (@wspd2pio) October 24, 2015
Just saw a bad car accident in burien with my mom and there’s a dead person on the ground 😔
— Haronee (@missethio) October 24, 2015
One dead, another critically injured after fatal collision in Burien. >> https://t.co/rxs8FRGnTY pic.twitter.com/mAa9XiWH8N — KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) October 24, 2015
Hard to see but fatal collision on SR 509/SR 518 in Burien @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/ioRMKuXWd5
— Rob Munoz (@RobKIRO7) October 24, 2015
.#BREAKING KC medical examiner just arrived @ fatal ax on SR518 in #Burien. Victim driver dead. 10 y/o pass critical pic.twitter.com/K0KuAeWPSW
— KIRO TV Jussero (@JJusseroKIRO7) October 25, 2015
.#BREAKING @wastatepatrol Trooper Rick Johnson explaining fatal ax on SR518 in #Burien pic.twitter.com/WVliJL50Bx
— KIRO TV Jussero (@JJusseroKIRO7) October 25, 2015
Driver of black SUV ran red light – arrested for susp of DUI. EB 518 closed affects SeaTac traffic @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/zmvYvohMP6
— Rob Munoz (@RobKIRO7) October 25, 2015
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Another senseless and preventible tragedy.
I pray the little girl recovers.
This really angers me, how did the 20 years old drink? That’s underage drinking! Hope they punish him to the full extent of law!
If anyone has any information about services or fundraisers for the family, please post
https://www.gofundme.com/portillofamilyfund
Hi am a family member of theirs you can donate to the family through the go find me website
Thank you Raquel. My deepest condolences to the whole family. I’m sure she was a very lovely woman.
Has anybody heard how the little girl is doing?
The boy goes to my school and we are all so sad. R.I.P. Ms.Lillian.