Police: Man in stolen car slams into family's vehicle; 5 injured, one girl critical

SEATTLE -- Five people were injured, one critically, when a man speeding away in a stolen car slammed into the side of a family's vehicle in south Seattle Thursday night, the Seattle Police Department said.

The crash occurred near 23rd Avenue and Grand Street South.

Shortly after 6 p.m., police said, a car owner was warming up his vehicle near Rainier Avenue South and South Othello Street when an unknown man jumped inside the car.

The car’s owner left a gun inside, police said, and when he went to confront the suspect, the suspect showed the owner he had already taken the gun and not to get away.

The suspect drove north on Rainier with the owner chasing after him in another car. A patrol officer saw the vehicle traveling northbound on Rainier Avenue South near South McClellan Street. The officer began following the vehicle, police said.

The suspect turned right on S. Grand Street and drove through the intersection at 23rd and South Grand, colliding into a vehicle that was traveling southbound, police said. The second car was occupied by a man and three children.

The father was trapped inside the car and had to be extricated. A  7-year-old boy was thrown from the car. A 5-year-old and 12-year-old inside the car were transported to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries. The Fire Department said the 12-year-old was in critical condition.

The 25-year-old suspect was also hurt and was transported to Harborview Medical Center with minor injuries, police said.  Upon release from the hospital, the suspect will be booked into King County Jail for investigation of auto theft and vehicular assault, police said.

Officers found marijuana, cough medicine and other medication on the suspect, police said.