Woman critically injured in Dec. 18 collision on SR-509 in Burien has died

Barbara Eakin, 54, died from injuries sustained in a five-car collision on SR-509 in Burien on December 18. The crash, caused by 24-year-old Christopher Wittman, has led to an upgrade of charges against him to vehicular homicide, reflecting the severity of Eakin's injuries. Wittman, who allegedly drove under the influence of alcohol, initially faced charges of two counts of vehicular assault and one count of felony hit and run. Eyewitness accounts indicate that he fled the scene on foot after losing control of his vehicle, which rolled down an embankment and collided with Eakin's Mazda. The collision critically injured Eakin and her husband, Clay, while three additional vehicles struck the overturned car, closing the freeway for several hours.

Police arrested Wittman shortly after the incident, noting that he exhibited signs of intoxication. His current bail is set at $200,000 as he awaits further legal proceedings. The incident underscores the dangers of impaired driving and its devastating consequences on victims and their families.