No criminal charges Police complete investigation into runaway SUV crash that killed 12-year-old Arsema Barekew outside Washington Middle School

Seattle Police concluded their investigation into the fatal incident involving 12-year-old Arsema Barekew, who was killed by a runaway SUV outside Washington Middle School, ruling it an accident without criminal liability for the driver. The investigation resulted in four parking violations against the 51-year-old woman, while no charges were identified. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the SUV rolled downhill, striking Barekew as she walked on the sidewalk. Her family criticized local authorities for perceived neglect following the tragedy, prompting a memorial march to honor her memory. School officials stated that supervision was present during the incident, as students were en route to recess after lunch.

Community support for the family has been significant, with fundraising efforts in the aftermath of the incident. Additionally, city officials have been working on street safety improvements around the school to prevent future accidents. The area where the incident occurred is known for heavy traffic, raising concerns about student safety.