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

File Photo
Kent man, 21, killed in West Meeker Street parking lot shooting

Suspect fired five to 12 shots before fleeing; shooter and victim reportedly knew each other

Courtesy Photo, City of Kent
Kent City Council approves B&O tax increases to hire more police

Additional revenue will pay for four police department positions

t
King County executive will nominate replacements for Upthegrove

District 5, which includes parts of Kent, will get new representative on County Council in January

t
SeaTac man, 21, fatally shot in vehicle in Kent on West Hill

Someone ran up and fired multiple shots into vehicle Nov. 21 at Veterans Drive and Military Road

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE, in Covington, remained without power Thursday morning, Nov. 21, according to Puget Sound Energy. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent schools remain closed due to windstorm damage, power outages

Second consecutive day of closures Thursday, Nov. 21 across the Kent School District

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire calls windstorm ‘one for the ages’

Agency responds to 308 calls in 12-hour period, including 245 for storm-related issues

Crews clear trees from State Route 18, which the Washington State Patrol closed in both directions Wednesday, Nov. 20, from Issaquah Hobart to I-90 over Tiger Mountain because of fallen trees during a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Washington State Patrol
Windstorm closes Kent schools, roads due to fallen trees

Many without power in areas of Kent and beyond

t
“Prolific” vehicular theft suspect arrested in Renton

Kent man holds 13 prior convictions and 41 arrests.

tt
Green Kent volunteer program wraps up season at city park

Volunteers remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park

t
Copper-wire thieves damage Kent Senior Center roof refrigeration unit

Facility temporarily loses commercial kitchen refrigerator but staff, community keep meals going

t
16-year-old girl dies in Covington single-car crash

Teen was driving when car crashed into a tree Nov. 15 along SE 256th Street just east of Kent