Kidnapping victim escapes burning car that had just crashed

On Thursday morning, a shocking scene unfolded in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle when a car crashed into a home and burst into flames.

Witnesses looked on in shock as a 63-year-old man, bound and beaten, crawled out of the trunk of the car. According to the victim, he had been slashed, roughed up, and thrown into the trunk of his car by several suspects before the crash.

Raegan McKibbon, a witness, said the man was “beat up pretty bad” and had cuts on his face.

The crash was heard by neighbor Cheng Yu, who described it as a “screeching noise and then the most sickening crunch.” Brooks Mierow, who was home with his children at the time, rushed them and their dog out of the house when he saw smoke coming from the car.

McKibbon assisted the man across the street and the Seattle Fire Department extinguished the flames. The victim was taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver or other passengers were not immediately located, but an 18-year-old male who matched the description of a suspect provided by the victim was questioned by police and released.

No other suspects were located. Seattle police are now investigating the case and are asking members of the public to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 if they have information on the case.