Crime & Safety
County IDs Puyallup Boy Killed in Buckley Crash
Enumclaw police chief says driver should have called 9-1-1.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office Friday identified the 17-year-old Puyallup boy early Wednesday as Traevon Norton.
Buckley Police Chief Jim Arsanto said Thursday night that felony hit-and-run and vehicular homicide charges are possible against the driver of the vehicle.
The driver, a 19-year-old from Bonney Lake, reportedly called a friend to take him to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw after the crash.
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"He should have been able to call 9-1-1," Arsanto said.
Since he is not a medical expert the chief would not speculate if Norton could have survived if that call was made.
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"But he never had that chance," said Arsanto.
The driver was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was released Wednesday afternoon, the chief said.
The accident occurred near where 112th meets State Route 410. The driver of the vehicle was speeding and failed to make a turn and hit a power pole, Arsanto said, adding they apparently were in the area to see friends.
The chief would not release the driver's name because the investigation is ongoing. He said prosecutors should get the case Tuesday to decide on charges.
Arsanto said the car hit the pole and wrapped around it, calling it "incredible." He added the vehicle has been impounded and is being held as evidence with a tarp over it until forensics can do an investigation.