Mill Creek man accused of crashing into taxi in Seattle, killing woman

King County prosecutors charged Aboubacarr Singhateh with vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular assault.

News logo for use with stories about Mill Creek in Snohomish County, WA.

MILL CREEK — A Mill Creek man driving without a license crashed into a taxi filled with passengers in downtown Seattle, killing a 74-year-old woman, according to new charges.

King County prosecutors charged Aboubacarr Singhateh with vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular assault on Tuesday.

Around noon on May 23, Singhateh, 25, was driving a 2011 Ford F-150 in downtown Seattle, according to the charges filed in King County Superior Court. The registered owner of the truck was sitting in the passenger seat. Singhateh was not licensed to drive.

Singhateh was speeding through the city streets, spewing smoke from his car, witnesses reported. The speed limit was 25 mph. Singhateh was reportedly driving around 47 mph.

He slammed into the back of a taxi stopped at a red light at the intersection of S Washington Street and Fourth Avenue S. The taxi had picked up four passengers — all over 70 years old, according to court documents.

According to data obtained from the truck, the vehicle was at “full acceleration” 1½ seconds before the collision, prosecutors wrote. Police found no evidence of Singhateh braking prior to the crash.

The crash pushed the taxi forward approximately 150 feet. All of the passengers were taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to a police report.

Suzanne Blake, 74, suffered “catastrophic” injuries and died that day, prosecutors wrote.

The other three suffered serious injuries: a woman, 74, suffered significant head trauma and required life-saving surgery; another woman, 75, suffered broken ribs, a broken pelvis and a severe facial laceration; and a man, 77, suffered internal injures.

Officers suspected Singhateh was impaired by drugs, court documents said. Police served a warrant to extract his blood. Investigators were awaiting the results of Singhateh’s toxicology report Wednesday.

Singhateh had no previous criminal or traffic history, according to court papers. An arraignment is scheduled for June 10, after Singhateh did not appear for his first hearing.

Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @snocojon.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

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.