Kent Police arrested a 38-year-old Kent man for assault of a Burien man Tuesday night, July 21 after a crash report on Highway 167 escalated into a confrontation and chase at Kent Station, police said.
Officers responded at about 8:37 p.m. after multiple people called 911 to report someone chasing another person near Kent Station. One caller reported that a man was trying to hide in the kitchen of a restaurant on the north side of the complex.
Officer Lam arrived and found a group of adults yelling at each other. One man, a 33-year-old Burien resident, had injuries to his face.
Police said the Burien man had struck another driver’s car on Highway 167. Both drivers pulled over, then decided to leave the highway and move to a safer location in Kent.
The Burien man, described by police as the first driver, did not stop at the first available safe location after leaving the highway and continued to a parking area at Kent Station. The second driver followed him there.
After arriving at Kent Station, the Burien man got out of his car and hit a parked, occupied vehicle with his hands, police said. The parked vehicle belonged to a third driver, who was not involved in the original crash. Police said the Burien man later told officers he thought the third driver was the person whose car he had hit on the highway and was trying to get his attention.
The third driver became upset, leading to an argument and threats, police said. The third driver then chased the Burien man through the area and assaulted him in front of witnesses. At least one cellphone recorded the assault.
Officer Bare later located the third driver. Officers Lam, Bare and Dale arrested the 38-year-old Kent man for assault after interviewing the people involved, witnesses and security, and reviewing evidence.
Police said the second driver stayed out of the confrontation.
During the investigation, Officer Lam noticed signs that the Burien man was intoxicated. Because the crash occurred on Highway 167, which is under Washington State Patrol jurisdiction, Kent police requested assistance from troopers. The Burien man was later arrested by the Washington State Patrol for DUI.
Kent Police said people involved in crashes should calmly exchange information, contact insurance companies or call 911 if they are on a public roadway.
“Great job by the officers sorting this out,” police said in a statement. “Hopefully everyone learns something.”
