Two killed in wrong-way crash on SR 509 in Seattle

A 21-year-old Kent man and a 71-year-old Seattle man died in the head-on collision.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:05pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car windshield reflecting the flashing lights of emergency vehicles, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a fatal wrong-way collision.The aftermath of a deadly head-on collision on a major highway exposes the grim reality of wrong-way driving incidents.Kent Today

A 21-year-old Kent man was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of State Route 509 in Seattle when he collided head-on with a vehicle driven by a 71-year-old Seattle man, killing both drivers.

Why it matters

Wrong-way crashes on highways are a serious safety concern, often resulting in devastating consequences. This incident on SR 509, a major thoroughfare in the Seattle area, raises questions about driver behavior, road design, and potential impairment factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.

The details

According to the Washington State Patrol, Jae'Don Parnell of Kent was driving a 2011 Toyota Camry northbound in the southbound lanes of SR 509 around 9:43 pm on Sunday, April 12. Parnell collided head-on with a 2026 Hyundai Ioniq driven by 71-year-old Kevin J. Ward of Seattle. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The roadway was blocked for over 5 hours as authorities investigated the crash.

  • The collision occurred around 9:43 pm on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The roadway was blocked for 5 hours and 35 minutes following the crash.

The players

Jae'Don Parnell

A 21-year-old man from Kent, Washington who was driving the wrong way on SR 509 when the fatal collision occurred.

Kevin J. Ward

A 71-year-old man from Seattle, Washington who was driving the vehicle that collided head-on with Parnell's car.

Washington State Patrol

The law enforcement agency investigating the crash and providing details about the incident.

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What’s next

The Washington State Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, including whether drugs or alcohol were factors.

The takeaway

This tragic wrong-way crash on a major Seattle-area highway underscores the need for improved driver education, road design, and enforcement to prevent such devastating incidents in the future and protect all motorists.