The Renton Police Department responded to two separate vehicle collisions, both involving a high rate of speed, vehicle fires and fatalities, that occurred within an hour of each other on Saturday, Aug. 5.

“In a span of 45 minutes, five lives were taken too soon and multiple other lives changed forever. Local 864 sends their condolences to everyone affected by these tragic events,” read a statement from the Renton Firefighters IAFF Local 865 union via X (Twitter).

The first incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. Aug. 5 at the intersection of Southeast Petrovitsky Road and 126th Avenue SE. When first responders arrived, they found a 2010 Mercedes engulfed in flames.

After the fire was put out, one person inside the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police reported that their investigation determined that the vehicle approached a bend in the road at a high rate of speed before hitting the curb and leaving the roadway. The vehicle reportedly hit a tree before igniting.

The second crash occurred roughly 45 minutes later in the 400 block of Rainier Avenue N. According to police, responders arrived at the scene to find a 2004 Toyota Camry that had been split in half, causing several of the vehicle’s occupants to be ejected. The front of the vehicle had ignited on fire, according to responders.

Police reported a total of five victims involved in the crash with four being pronounced dead at the scene and one transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in critical condition.

Roads in the area were closed for several hours as police conducted an investigation. It was determined that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control and the car slid into a tree, splitting the vehicle and igniting the vehicle on fire.

“Our sympathies go out to all the families, friends and loved ones of these victims,” the Renton Police Department said in a statement on Facebook.