Local News

A Seattle man who was critically hurt after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on Feb. 19 has died.

King County sheriff’s Sgt. Cindi West said today that the 60-year-old man died on Thursday night. West said the man was crossing in the 14600 block of Aurora Avenue North about 8:30 p.m. when he was struck by a van. The van driver pulled over after the crash, but then took off, West added.

Witnesses described the van as a white, full-size, possibly a Ford or a Chevrolet, with a work rack on top. The van should have sustained damage to its right, front corner because of the crash, West said. The right headlight likely was broken

There were two men in the van, a witness told the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone who knows anything about the crash is asked to call 911.

Six boys serving time a state juvenile detention center in Snoqualmie were arrested this morning after authorities say they planned a violent escape that left a staff member at the facility injured and police searching for them in the woods.

A female staff member at Echo Glen Children’s Center was found unconscious around 11:30 p.m. last night, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Sgt. Cindi West. Witnesses told investigators that the staff member was beaten with a bottle filled with frozen water, West added.

After the assault, the suspected attackers, ages 14 and 15, took the staff member’s keys and radio. The staff member was found unconscious in a locked room, authorities said.

“She was unconscious and some other kids [at the facility] found her. They called for help,” West said. “It definitely appears this was planned. The detective on the scene said when they found the boys they had their packed bags with them.”

The sheriff’s office, the Washington State Patrol and Snoqualmie  police were brought in to search for the boys and investigate, West said. The sheriff’s office helicopter searched the area near the facility, 33010 SE 99th Street in Snoqualmie, and located the six boys.

West said that when the boys were spotted by authorities in a wooded area they broke into three groups of two and ran in different directions.  Deputies from the sheriff’s K-9 unit used their dogs to find the boys in the woods; several of the teenagers were bitten, West added.

One of the boys is at Harborview Medical Center, in Seattle, being treated for dog bites. He is expected to join the other five at the King County Youth Service Center. The six will be held at the Seattle juvenile jail for investigation of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and escape, West said.

Three of the youths are 14, the other three are 15.  The majority of them were at Echo Glen for assault and firearms convictions, West said.

The staff member who was hurt in the assault is expected to recover, West said.

According to the Department of Social and Health Services, Echo Glen is a medium/maximum security facility that is not fenced, but bordered by natural wetlands. The facility houses younger male offenders and juvenile female offenders.

Echo Glen is part of the state’s Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, which is part of the Department of Social and Health Services.

Geoffery Oberbeck (Family photo)

The man who died after nearly drowning in the Green River on Monday evening has been identified as Geoffery Oberbeck, 19, of Enumclaw, according to his mother, Melanie Schomber.

Oberbeck and his father had been swimming in eddies in a part of the river near Ravensdale when the young man swam too close to the middle of the river and was swept away by the current, according to Sgt. Cindi West of the King County Sheriff’s Office. His father tried but was unable to save him, she said.

Before bystanders in a calmer part of the river downstream could rescue Oberbeck, he had been underwater for at least seven minutes, West said. He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center, where he died.

Oberbeck, a 2012 Enumclaw High School graduate and avid Godzilla fan, was “the best big brother ever” to two younger siblings, Frederick Schomber, 11, and Daniel Schomber, 6, his mother said. He also previously attended Kent-Meridian High School in Kent.

“I’ve seen so many accidents on the Green River, I just want to dam the thing up,” said his mother, who has lived in Kent since 1979.

No date for services has been set, Melanie Schomber said.

She said she hasn’t started the process, but would like to set up a way to fund life-jacket access near spots like Green River.

In addition to strong currents and rapids that can sweep swimmers away, West said, the water can be so cold that circulation slows to arms and legs and makes it harder for someone to swim.