Burien News

The Washington State Patrol is investigating a multiple car fatality collision that occurred during this morning’s commute in the southbound lanes of I-5 in Tukwila. 

At 5:53a.m. troopers responded to a multiple car rollover collision blocking five of six southbound lanes of I-5 just north of the I-405/SR-518 interchange.

Preliminary investigation shows the initial impact was between a white Ford Crown Victoria, operated by Stita Taxi Co., and a black Toyota Land Cruiser near, or on, the two exit lanes to SR-518 and Southcenter Parkway. After impact the Toyota Land Cruiser rolled onto the mainline lanes of southbound I-5 where it was hit by a black Toyota Camry.

The driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser, a 43 year-old Seattle resident, was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision and was declared deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Toyota Camry was treated for minor injuries at the scene. The drivers of the Toyota Camry and the Ford Crown Victoria were not injured.

Five of the six southbound lanes of I-5 were closed for approximately 2 1/2 hours while troopers and detectives investigated the scene. 

Detectives are still investigating the cause of the initial impact between the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Ford Crown Victoria.

Detectives are seeking any witnesses who observed the collision, or the events leading up to the collision, to call Detective Ruth Medeiros at (425) 401-7719.

After years of back-and-forth rulings regarding his mental competency, a man accused of killing a cheerleader, her boyfriend and his grandparents pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Leemah Carneh was charged with four counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of Josie Peterson - an Evergreen High School cheerleader prosecutors say he was obsessed with - her boyfriend, Taelor Marks, and his grandparents, Richard and Leola Larson.

Their bodies were found March 9, 2001, in the Larsons' Des Moines home.

Investigators said Carneh, who was 19 at the time, gunned down Taelor's grandparents, hid their bodies and then waited for Josie and Taelor.

The original charges against Carneh were dismissed in October, 2005, after doctors diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia and a judge ruled that he was not competent to stand trial. Carneh was committed to Western State Hospital.

Prosecutors refilled murder charges in 2007 after Western State officials determined Carneh was doing well enough that he could be moved to a ward where he would not be constantly supervised and could earn permission to leave the hospital grounds.

In November, 2008, Carneh was again ruled incompetent to stand trial and was sent back to Western State Hospital for 180 days treatment. In July 2009 a judge ruled that Carney was competent to stand trial and charges were refiled.

In King County Superior Court on Tuesday, Judge Palmer Robinson said Carneh is mentally competent to make the decision to plead guilty.

Carneh's attorney argued that his client remains incompetent and that his decision was guided by delusions and psychosis.

Carneh said he is responsible for the killings and understands he'll spend the rest of his life in prison.

It appears the wind has finally taken a toll on the Burien area.

Seattle City Light is reporting that about 4,000 customers were plunged into darkness about 12:40 this afternoon.

The boundaries of the blackout were SW 95th Street on the north, SW 131st on the south, Gelndale Way South on the east and Seola Beach Drive SW on the west.

No estimate on when power will be restored.

Importing unapproved medical devices is illegal. Trying to bribe a government official—equally bad.

Toan Le and Hang Ho, a married couple living in Burien, pleaded guilty today Seattle in connection with their attempt to import and use a cosmetic device that had not been approved for use in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration.  Le pleaded guilty to providing an Illegal Gratuity to Public Official and Ho pleaded guilty to Introduction or Delivery for Introduction into Interstate Commerce of Adulterated Device. 

According to the records in the case Le owns the Crystal Nails beauty salon in Burien, and Ho is an employee of the salon. 

Ho admitted she attempted to import, into the United States, medical devices that had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July.  One of the devices was a “Skin Light Machine -- a laser type device for skin treatment. The device emits radiation at unknown levels. 

When the FDA Consumer Safety Officer made an inspection, Le admits he offered first $500 and later $800 to allow the salon to keep the machine and other adulterated goods.  On July 13, 2009, in Tukwila, Le delivered an envelope containing $800 to the Consumer Safety Officer.  The officer was cooperating with law enforcement.  Under the terms of the plea agreement, the pair forfeit the $800, as well as a variety of items from their salon which were adulterated or misbranded, including nine skin light machines, four hand held massagers, creams, bath salts and tweezers.

When sentenced Le faces up to two years in prison and Ho faces up to one year in prison.