Yet another pedestrian killed in Kent in collision with vehicle

A third pedestrian in five days was killed in Kent when a semitruck struck a 31-year-old Auburn man early Saturday morning, Dec. 27 in the 11400 block of SE 208th Street in the Panther Lake area.

At about 4:43 a.m. multiple officers and Puget Sound Fire were dispatched to a serious injury accident involving a pedestrian, according to a Dec. 29 Kent Police news release. A 911 caller stated that they were attempting to start CPR on the pedestrian.

Upon arrival, the first responders determined that the pedestrian’s injuries were significant, and he was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment, according to police. The man was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Through driver and witness statements, and dash camera video from one of the vehicles involved, officers determined the sequence of events, according to police.

A 2019 semitruck driven by a 32-year-old Maple Valley man was eastbound on SE 208th approaching 114th Ave SE when he observed the pedestrian standing in the roadway, according to police. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk. The semi driver swerved to avoid a collision but struck the pedestrian. A second vehicle, a 1992 Mazda driven by a 20-year-old Renton man, was also eastbound on SE 208th Street, saw the pedestrian now lying in the roadway and swerved to avoid hitting him. He spun around, striking the semi. The second driver did not hit the pedestrian.

Both drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, according to police. Evidence gathered indicated that neither speed nor impairment appear to be a factor in the crash. The driver of the semi was properly licensed.

As of Monday morning, Dec. 29, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office had not identified the Auburn man.

This marked the third pedestrian death in five days in Kent and the fourth in 14 days.