Two killed in three-car crash in Kent; Renton man under investigation for vehicular homicide

A 40-year-old Renton man is under investigation for vehicular homicide after two people, including a Kent man, were killed in a three-car crash early Sunday in Kent on westbound State Route 516, just west of Meeker Street.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Wednesday, December 8, 2010 11:40am
  • News

View Larger Map

A 40-year-old Renton man is under investigation for vehicular homicide after two people, including a Kent man, were killed in a three-car crash early Sunday in Kent on westbound State Route 516, just west of Meeker Street.

Around 3:15 a.m. three vehicles, a silver Chevrolet Malibu, a Honda SUV and red Honda Civic, were all traveling west on State Route 516, also known as the Kent Des Moines Road, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Washington State Patrol detectives are investigating what caused the three vehicles to collide, killing two of the three drivers. A third driver and one passenger were transported with serious injuries to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Jose D. Cuellar, 57, of Kent, the driver of a 1994 Honda Passport, and Amanda Berman, 24, of Yakima, the driver of a 2002 Chevy Malibu, died from injuries suffered in the accident.

Paramedics transported the Renton man, the driver of a 1992 Honda Civic, to the hospital after his vehicle struck the Chevy Malibu.

Willie L. Smith, 26, of Fife, a passenger in Berman’s car, also was transported to Harborview.

Both men were in satisfactory condition Monday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Alcohol or drugs are believed to be factors in the collision, according to the State Patrol. None of the drivers or the passenger wore seat belts.

The Malibu reportedly went out of control and collided with the Honda Civic. The Honda Passport then collided with the Malibu.

A witness told the State Patrol that a couple of the cars might have been racing.


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

A pond is one of the features at Kaibara Park, an half-acre park in downtown Kent near the Kent Library. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Woman found dead at downtown Kent park died of drug overdose

King County Medical Examiner’s Office rules Feb. 11 death an accident

Methamphetamine seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). COURTESY FILE PHOTO, DEA
Drug-ring leader with ties to Kent man faces federal charges

Man transported last month from Mexico to U.S.; Kent man sentenced on similar charges

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police investigate death of woman found at downtown park

Renton woman, 48, had head injury when located early Feb. 11 at Kaibara Park; injured man also found

t
Kent mayor plans State of the City address at new facility

Will deliver speech March 19 at Kent East Hill Operations Center

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Medical examiner identifies man fatally stabbed in Kent

27-year-old man died from stab wound of chest at West Hill apartment complex

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph could see her salary go up in 2026 to $20,000 per month, a 9.2% increase. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Proposal would boost Kent mayor’s annual salary to $240,000

A 9.2% increase from current pay of $219,720; City Council pay to remain the same

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man, 26, fatally stabbed at Kent West Hill apartment complex

Officers responded early Saturday morning, Feb. 7 to the 25700 block of 27th Place South

Courtesy File Photo, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Kent School District issues staff protocols for ICE

Message aims to prepare staff should immigration authorities appear at or near schools

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Train strikes, kills Kent man, 64, in wheelchair on tracks

Feb. 4 incident at East James Street second death by train in three days in Kent

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: Jan. 12-18

Incidents include attempted robbery, carjackings

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent woman standing on tracks struck and killed by train | Update

Woman identified; reportedly waving at train Feb. 2 in the 1000 block of First Avenue North

Image courtesy King County Sheriff's Office
Super Bowl patrols underway as part of ‘Night of 1,000 Stars’ campaign

Emphasis patrols will be active in King County to encourage safe driving