Brier woman charged in Seattle crash that killed 2, injured 2

A family was visiting from Los Angeles and were sightseeing when an out-of-control car struck them.

SEATTLE — A family visiting from Los Angeles had just left their hotel Friday afternoon to go on a short sightseeing walk toward the Fremont neighborhood.

They were going to see the Fremont Troll, the famous sculpture that resides under the Aurora Bridge.

They wouldn’t make it.

Radalyn King, 23, from Brier, was charged Wednesday in King County Superior Court with two counts of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, felony hit and run and reckless driving.

Around 1 p.m. Friday, King was driving a blue Nissan Sentra northbound on Aurora Avenue North, weaving through traffic and going as fast as 80 mph, prosecutors alleged. One witness reported seeing her bounce up and down in the driver’s seat as she swerved around his car.

Near the intersection of North 39th Street, the Nissan reportedly lost control, went up onto the curb and left a path of wreckage, hitting an electronic speed sign and a fire hydrant, dislodging a streetlight, knocking over signs and striking a wooden utility pole before going airborne and slamming into a concrete wall. The car rotated and landed on its side, its engine block having fallen out from the force of the crash.

The car traveled about 250 feet while out of control, a Seattle Police investigation concluded. King’s car was so unrecognizable an arriving officer couldn’t identify its make and model.

Four pedestrians were hit.

Rebecca Richman, 28, described as a recent law school graduate, died at the scene. Her brother, 26-year-old Michael Richman, later died in an emergency room. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office determined their cause of death to be multiple blunt force injuries.

Their father, 63, suffered a broken leg, shattered kneecap, broken pelvis, eight broken ribs and a punctured lung. He has since undergone two surgeries.

Rebecca Richman’s boyfriend, 25, suffered unknown injuries.

People ran to pry the windshield off the Nissan. King reportedly said her baby was still in the car, but no one could find any sign of one in the wreckage. The suspect then grabbed some clothing and a small Christmas tree and walked away, according to court papers.

Witnesses followed her several blocks down the street and pointed her out to police.

When King saw the police, she allegedly ran, but was quickly arrested. While interviewing her, officers suspected she had been using drugs.

“Investigating officers documented several instances where King provided provocative or bizarre responses to direct questions related to the incident,” an investigation report stated.

The suspect reportedly laughed at officers’ questions and refused to participate in sobriety tests. At one point she mentioned that she had a dog in the vehicle, not a baby. A dog was later returned to her mother, according to charging papers.

Police noted King’s watery, dilated eyes and how slow and softly spoken she was. Officers reportedly found a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine in her car, and later learned that she is known to use MDMA, a stimulant and psychedelic drug, according to charging papers. Officers obtained a search warrant for a blood draw, the results of which are still pending.

“She did not appear to understand or care that she had hit pedestrians,” prosecutors wrote.

King allegedly told officers she closed her eyes and intentionally crashed her car, according to an initial police report.

She remained in the King County Jail with bail set at $500,000. She is scheduled to appear for arraignment Dec. 18. She has no known criminal history.

Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Connect Casino Road Director Alvaro Gullien speaks at an Everett City Council meeting to share community thoughts regarding affordable housing and preventing displacement of those that live along Casino Road on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will Everett’s comprehensive plan work in Casino Road?

Residents in the diverse, tight-knit neighborhood want “Investment without displacement.” The city’s plan will help achieve that, staff say.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15… Continue reading

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit

Despite lower court’s decision, eight men maintain their department did not properly accommodate their religious beliefs during COVID.

A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.