FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
08/29/2023 Black Diamond Police Department
Commander Brian Martinez 360-851-4450
bamartinez@blackdiamondwa.gov
On 08/29/2023 officers assisted the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) with an armed carjacking that occurred in the 22000 block of SE 288th ST in Maple Valley. Information received was suspects had intentionally crashed into the victim’s car, taken the victim’s car at gunpoint, and fled in a silver Hyundai.
Two officers from the Black Diamond Police Department went to assist KCSO with locating the suspects. One of these officers was traveling west in the 22000 block of SE 296th ST when a vehicle matching the description of the suspects was observed driving at a high rate of speed traveling in the opposite direction. By the time the officer was able to slow and turn around, the vehicle was no longer in sight and a pursuit was never initiated. As the officer was conducting an area search for the lost car, a KCSO Deputy advised they possibly had the suspect car at Lake Sawyer Grocery. Officers diverted to this location, but the car was not associated with this incident.
A Black Diamond Officer traced back to the location where the car was last seen, and it was found to be off the road at the intersection of SE 297th and 224th Ave SE. The car was involved in a single car accident into a tree and the occupants appeared to have significant life-threatening injuries. Officers and fire personnel attempted lifesaving efforts, but the driver was pronounced deceased after being transported to Harborview Hospital. Two other occupants were transported to Harborview Hospital also with life-threatening injuries. The occupants are suspected to be juveniles and the crime is under investigation.
Special thanks to the Washington State Patrol for responding to investigate the collision. The carjacking is currently being investigated by KCSO and the Washington State Patrol is investigating the fatality accident.
