Kent man dies in high speed car wreck on East Hill

Kent Police are investigating a 23-year-old Federal Way man for vehicular homicide in connection with a single-car crash Dec. 17 on the East Hill that killed a 32-year-old Kent man, one of his four passengers.

Jose Ramon Huchin-Ucan died after the car in which he was riding crashed into trees and then a home at about 11:41 p.m. in the 11100 block of Southeast 274th Way. He died at the scene.

"There is evidence of speeding from witnesses and from evidence at the scene," said Kent Police Lt. Pat Lowery in a Dec. 21 phone interview. "There is also evidence that alcohol was in play."

A 1995 Nissan Maxima was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed when its driver lost control.

The car was traveling around 80 mph or faster, Lowery said. The posted speed along the road is 40 mph.

"There were alcohol cans and bottles in the car," Lowery said. "There also was an odor of alcohol on the driver."

Police have not yet arrested the man. Lowery said officers are waiting for the driver's toxicology report that could take up to two weeks to get back from the State Patrol crime lab.

The driver survived, as did three other passengers in the car. One person remained hospitalized Dec. 21 with chest and back injuries, Lowery said. Three others were treated and released at local hospitals. Nobody was wearing seat belts in the crash.

The car struck a house that was unoccupied and sustained minor structural damage.

Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

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