鈥榃e need somebody to come forward鈥�; reward for information about deadly Ballard hit-and-run
Mar 25, 2025, 6:16 AM
Richard John 'Ole' Ward, 39, who was killed in a deadly Ballard hit-and-run. (Photo courtesy of 成人X站 7)
(Photo courtesy of 成人X站 7)
An Arlington family is desperate for answers after their son was hit and killed by a driver in Ballard last month.
39-year-old Richard John 鈥淥le鈥� Ward was hit in a crosswalk at the intersection of 15th Avenue NW and NW Market Street, his mother Sue Ward said.
It happened on February 1 around 1:20 a.m.
鈥淭he first thing I wake up every morning is him on the ground pleading for help,鈥� Sue said.
Crime Stoppers is now offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and charge of the person responsible.
Sue said the driver was going so fast that her son flew 75 feet.
Her son鈥檚 final moments continue to play over and over in her head.
鈥淗e was moaning,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e was asking, 鈥楬elp me. Help Me.鈥欌��
It鈥檚 been about seven weeks since Ole鈥檚 death, and no one has been arrested.
Sue and her husband John have been putting up posters in Ballard hoping people with information come forward.
鈥淚t can be a friend, an enemy, a coworker, a repair shop worker, a bartender,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need somebody to come forward.鈥�
Sue and John鈥檚 dining room in Arlington has become 鈥淥le Central.鈥� The table is surrounded by posters filled with photos of Ole in different phases of his life.
鈥淗e came out running,鈥� Sue said. 鈥淗e just loved the outdoors.鈥�
Sue showed us photos of Ole as a baby (鈥淗e was very independent鈥�) and as a teenager surrounded by friends (鈥淭hey all said how they could all go to Ole with problems they had鈥�).
His family hopes that wherever he is now, he鈥檚 watching over his late nephew Alex, who also previously passed too soon.
鈥淚t grossly affected my son,鈥� Sue said.
成人X站 7 asked Sue what her message to Ole would be now.
鈥淲e love you. We鈥檝e always loved you,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e always wanted the best for you, and we鈥檝e always wanted you to be happy.鈥�
If you know anything about who was driving the vehicle, contact police or Crime Stoppers. You can submit anonymous tips聽.
It鈥檚 not just justice that Sue is after. She also plans to fight for stricter penalties for hit-and-run drivers.
