Man Injured In Renton Crash Involving Vehicle Chase, Shooting

RENTON, WA - New details have emerged in the case of an early morning two-car chase and shooting in the Renton Highlands area that happened Dec. 29.

The family of a man who was hit by one of the vehicles has come forward to release details about his unwitting involvement in the incident. Curt La Follette, 60, a Renton resident, was on his way to work when one of the two cars involved in the chase crashed into his work van, totaling it. La Follette works for a construction company, which owns the van.

La Follette suffered eight broken ribs and a lacerated spleen. He spent almost a week at the Valley Medical Center recovering from his injuries, and won't be able to return to work until February, his family told Patch.com.

According to police, two cars were chasing each other along Sunset Boulevard close to 5 a.m. on Dec. 29, and the occupants were apparently exchanging gunfire. One of those cars struck La Follette's van, pushing it into the sign at the 76 gas station at the intersection of Sunset and Northeast 12th Street.

The vehicle that hit La Follette turned out to be stolen out of Normandy Park, police said. Three of the people inside that stolen vehicle ran from the scene of the accident. Police later caught one of the passengers, but could not find probable cause to make an arrest, police said.

Renton Commander David Liebman told Patch.com recently that detectives are still searching for the suspects. If you know anything about the accident, you can contact Renton police at 425-430-7500 and reference case No. 16-16552