³ÉÈËXÕ¾

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Teen driver arrested after allegedly tearing through crowded Auburn park, hitting woman

Apr 22, 2024, 4:03 PM

Photo: A utility box was damaged after a person recklessly drove through an Auburn park....

A utility box was damaged after a person recklessly drove through an Auburn park. (Photo: James Lynch, ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio)

(Photo: James Lynch, ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio)

Auburn’s Lea Hill Park was crowded with people last Saturday when an 18-year-old driver allegedly jumped the curb and sped through the park in a Honda Fit.

Parkgoers told officers it seemed the driver was intentionally trying to hit people, according to the . Police said the man did hit a 20-year-old woman and left her with minor injuries.

A driver tore through a park in Auburn. (Photo: James Lynch, ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio)

Other crime: Break-in of North Seattle motorcycle dealership causes heavy damage

Instagram user @seattlesubmissions1 posted a video of the reckless stunt. .

Auburn police also released a video but it was taken from bodycam footage of the arrest. You can watch it below:

Police believe the situation was related to domestic violence.

“Early investigation leads officers to believe that this could be a domestic violence situation and the driver was targeting a significant other,” Auburn Police spokesperson Kolby Crossley said.

An enclosure around a children’s soccer field and a utility box were damaged in the park.

Photo: A utility box was damaged after a person recklessly drove through an Auburn park.

A utility box was damaged after a person recklessly drove through an Auburn park. (Photo: James Lynch, ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio)

“You can actually get hit and killed. It’s crazy. Very unsafe. There’s a lot of kids running around. It’s really unsafe,” park-goer Zada Wagner told ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio.

Police received numerous 911 calls. Officers rushed to the park and recognized the car leaving the scene.

“It’s extremely dangerous and obviously when we hear that come across our radios we respond extremely quickly because there are kids in that park. There are people in that park just out enjoying their nice Saturday when a car comes crashing through the park,” Crossley said.

Officers were able to arrest the teen and booked him into the King County Jail without incident. He’s expected to be charged with 1st-degree domestic violence assault and felony harassment, among other felony charges.

Kia Boyz deterred: Hyundai owners were able to get free anti-theft software updates

“I think they’re reckless. This is a kids’ park. They probably should be severely punished for their actions. I have kids, a four and five-year-old, and they play here all the time,” parent Nathan Langloss said.

Police are continuing to investigate. If anyone has video of the incident, Auburn Police ask that you call 911.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

You can read more of James Lynch’s stories here. Follow James on , or email him here.

MyNorthwest News

Cascade Valley Hospital lockdown...

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7 News Staff

Cascade Valley Hospital forced into lockdown three times in a week for ‘unconfirmed threats’

Skagit Regional Health says they have enlisted the help of the FBI and local police after at least three different threats put Cascade Valley Hospital on lockdown over the last three days.

2 hours ago

dogs Auburn...

Samantha Lomibao, ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7 News

Dogs with swollen muzzles found abandoned near Auburn

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) says three dogs were found under concerning circumstances near Auburn.

2 hours ago

Photo: A new report reveals trends surrounding censorship at the University of Washington and Washi...

Julia Dallas

Teen with Google PhD-level job sues UW, other schools for alleged racial bias in admissions

A 19-year-old with a Google job claims UW and others discriminated in admissions based on race.

3 hours ago

FILE - People are seen on the beach and in the water in front of the Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honol...

Associated Press

Hawaii plans to increase hotel tax to help it cope with climate change

  HONOLULU (AP) — In a first-of-its kind move, Hawaii lawmakers are ready to hike a tax imposed on travelers staying in hotels, vacation rentals and other short-term accommodations and earmark the new money for programs to cope with a warming planet. State leaders say they’ll use the funds for projects like replenishing sand on […]

10 hours ago

Dolly Parton Imagination Library...

Sofia Silvia

‘A heartbreaking loss’: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library loses funding in WA

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will no longer have funding in the state of Washington.

14 hours ago

tax proposals...

Heather Bosch and Frank Lenzi

Poll shows voters feel Seattle is ‘making progress’ in reducing crime

A new poll shows Seattle voters believe their city is making progress when it comes to reducing crime and the number of homeless encampments.

17 hours ago

Teen driver arrested after allegedly tearing through crowded Auburn park, hitting woman