Kent Police investigate the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian on Pacific Highway South. The driver of the vehicle who struck the pedestrian also hit a tree and another car before landing on its side. COURTESY PHOTO

Kent Police investigate the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian on Pacific Highway South. The driver of the vehicle who struck the pedestrian also hit a tree and another car before landing on its side. COURTESY PHOTO

Speeding motorist strikes, kills elderly pedestrian on Pac Highway

70-year-old man hit by 21-year-old driver

Kent Police are investigating the death of a 70-year-old Federal Way man who was struck by a speeding vehicle while walking on a sidewalk during Wednesday afternoon rush hour on Pacific Highway South.

The driver of the vehicle reportedly was seen speeding and weaving in and out of traffic in the 27000 block on southbound Pacific Highway South near the South 272nd Street intersection around 5:16 p.m. As the vehicle attempted to avoid colliding with another vehicle, it swerved toward the sidewalk, striking the man, police said. The vehicle then struck a tree, flipped, landed on the trunk of another vehicle and came to rest on its side.

The pedestrian was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he died from his injuries, police said. The King County Medical Examiner’s office identified the victim as Benito Castillo Rojas.

A passenger in the speeding vehicle was injured and taken to a hospital. There was no information on the passenger’s condition.

The driver of the vehicle, a 21-year-old Federal Way man, suffered minor injuries. Officers arrested the man, with charges pending as traffic investigators continue to work the case, police said.

There were no other injuries reported.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students

Former King County sheriff tells about Gary Ridgway and how the crime was solved

t
Kent Police arrest man for reportedly raping two women

Man, 39, allegedly attacked women in his car; first case in October 2023, second case February 2024

t
Voters strongly defeating Kent School District levy

Nearly 60% against Capital Projects and Technology Levy on April 23 ballot

t
Kent Police pursue, arrest two 14-year-old boys for armed robbery

April 23 incident began at convenience store along West Meeker Street; ended on Military Road South

t
Man killed at Auburn’s Muckleshoot Casino in ‘random’ stabbing

Police: ‘There did not appear to be any altercation between the two prior to the incident.’

Speakers at the Valley Comm/Crisis Connections press conference on April 16. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Help is 3 numbers away: Crisis 911-988-211 services are now under one roof

“Through the Valley Comm 911/Crisis Connections partnership, we will help thousands more South King County community members get through what they’re going through.”

t
Kent Police chief believes new carjacking task force will reduce crime

Kent will play key role in efforts by U.S. Department of Justice to combat carjacking

t
Former Kent School District bus driver accused of raping student

Renton man, 39, reportedly sexually assaulted 11-year-old girl multiple times on bus

t
Kent Police investigate death of man found near railroad tracks

Found Sunday afternoon, April 21 in the 1000 block of First Avenue North

t
Asylum seekers, supporters ask Kent City Council for housing help

They want Econo Lodge on Central Avenue reopened; Kent, King County have no plans to do so

King County SWAT vehicle. Courtesy photo
Investigation concludes on SWAT team’s fatal shooting of suspect in Algona

A multi-agency team has finished investigating the King County SWAT’s shooting of… Continue reading

A screenshot of the King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian One helicopter view of the arrest of a Kent man after carjacking incidents Feb. 13 in Kent. COURTESY IMAGE, King County Sheriff’s Office
Kent Police to join new Western Washington Carjacking Task Force

U.S. Department of Justice announces Seattle, Kent police departments as partners to reduce crime