Shane M. O’Flynn Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the identity of a man who was struck and killed in Kent while crossing SE 208th Street earlier this week. The victim was identified by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office as Shane M. O’Flynn, 34, of Renton. According to the report issued on September 18, O’Flynn died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.
The collision happened shortly after midnight on September 16, in the 11400 block of SE 208th Street. At approximately 12:01 a.m., Kent police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a vehicle-pedestrian collision.
When officers arrived, they found O’Flynn lying in the roadway. He was unconscious but still breathing, according to a statement from the Kent Police Department. O’Flynn had suffered severe injuries. Emergency medics immediately began life-saving measures, including CPR, before transporting him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Police interviewed the driver involved in the crash, who was identified as a 66-year-old Kent resident. The driver told investigators that O’Flynn suddenly appeared in the roadway in front of his vehicle as he was traveling eastbound on SE 208th Street. According to the driver, O’Flynn was not in a marked crosswalk and was not visible in time for him to avoid the collision.
Authorities said the driver remained at the scene and fully cooperated with the investigation. No further details have been released about whether impairment, speed, or other factors played a role in the crash.
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing dangers pedestrians face when navigating busy roadways at night, especially outside of designated crosswalks or well-lit areas. Traffic safety experts often stress the importance of visibility for pedestrians and caution for drivers, particularly during late hours when conditions make spotting people on the road more difficult.
The death of O’Flynn has drawn attention to SE 208th Street, an area where residents have previously expressed concern about pedestrian safety. While authorities have not suggested that roadway design contributed to this specific accident, advocates for safer streets continue to push for improved lighting, marked crosswalks, and traffic calming measures in high-risk areas.
As of now, Kent police have not reported any charges or citations against the driver. Investigators are still working to confirm all circumstances surrounding the collision.
The case remains under active review, and officials are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has additional information to come forward. Witness testimony can be vital in clarifying the moments leading up to tragic accidents like this one.
O’Flynn’s death is part of a troubling trend across Washington State, where pedestrian fatalities have been rising in recent years. Transportation authorities and safety advocates say these tragedies reinforce the urgent need for heightened awareness from both drivers and pedestrians.
For O’Flynn’s family and community, the sudden loss has left behind grief and unanswered questions. Authorities say their investigation will continue as they work toward a clearer picture of what happened on SE 208th Street that night.
