Crime & Safety
Renton Man Suspected Of DUI, Causing Multi-Car Accident
The fiery crash killed a Sumner man and injured four.
A 21-year-old Renton man was booked into King County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence Sunday after allegedly causing a multi-car accident that killed one man and sent several others to the hospital.
The crash occurred just before 2:30 p.m. Sunday as 21-year-old Stephen Palmer of Renton drove a Black 2001 Nissan Altima south on I-5 near 336th in Federal Way. Palmer reportedly lost control of his car and struck a barrier.
A second car driven by 24-year-old Jesus Chaves of Tacoma then struck Palmer’s car, pushing it back into the roadway.
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A Kenworth tractor-trailer tanker struck Chaves’ car. The impact sent the tractor-trailer off the roadway were it rolled, struck a sound wall and home and then caught fire.
The driver, 68-year-old Joseph Bartkowski of Sumner died as a result of the crash.
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His passengers in Palmer's car, 23-year-ol Sharonda Palmer of Seattle and 21-year-old Tianne Saffrin of Algona, were injured and transported to St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. Chaves was also transported to St. Francis Hospital.
Palmer’s charges are still pending and the crash remains under investigation by the Washington State Patrol.
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