Photo of vehicle suspected in a fatal hit and run death, courtesy King County Sheriff’s Office
This week the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges of Murder in the Second Degree (Felony Murder) and Felony Hit and Run (Death – Driving) against a 15-year-old SeaTac girl accused of killing Gregory Moore in July in Maple Valley.

Prosecutors say that just before 11 a.m. on July 18, 2021, a woman called 911 to report that she had found a deceased man in a ditch in front of the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in unincorporated King County near Maple Valley.

Moore had been reported missing by his wife after he failed to return from his usual early morning run. He was later found deceased and shoeless, with pieces of a plastic headlight lens cover near his body, charging documents say.

The King County Medical Examiner’s office said that Moore suffered multiple blunt force injuries, including a skull fracture as the result of a traffic accident. He also had abrasions on the back of his calves consistent with being struck by the bumper of a passenger vehicle.

Surveillance video showed Moore running eastbound on the south shoulder of SE 216th Way. He would continue approximately .7 miles along this route to the point at which he was struck. At one point, two vehicles pass by going eastbound past the same camera. The lead vehicle appeared to be a grey 2002-2006 Toyota Camry, followed by Silver 2002-2007 Ford Escape Limited Edition. The vehicles were next seen on video continuing west to east at the intersection of SE 216th Street and 244th Ave SE, where they both ran through a stop sign at a high rate of speed. Both vehicles then returned to the scene of the crime where Moore was laying in a ditch.

Detectives determined through the broken headlight lens pieces that the suspect vehicle was a 2002-2006 Toyota Camry. This info was released to news media outlets, and on Sept. 7, a woman arrived at the Seatac Precinct and reported that she believed her god-daughter may be involved in the hit and run. Once the vehicle was inspected it was determined to be a match, and soon the 15-year-old turned herself in.

The suspect told her 14-year-old friend that she took a car without permission, and told them that they approached a man running on the side of the road. “I’m going to scare him. I’m going to bump him,” the suspect said. She hit the victim going around 50 MPH, then left the scene.

“Because she was 15 at the time of the incident, she is not subject to automatic adult court jurisdiction,” King County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney said in an email. “Any decision to transfer this matter to adult court would be up to a juvenile court judge. Given the facts of this investigation and the circumstances of this case, the law does not support transferring this case to adult court.”

UPDATE: On Sept. 16, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg issued the following statement:

“My office has received dozens of messages about the tragic death of Greg Moore from a hit and run driver in the Maple Valley area. It is clear that he was much admired and that his senseless death has impacted many people. We have charged a 15-year old girl with murder in the second degree and felony hit and run for the conduct that caused his death.

“The taking of Mr. Moore’s life is an unimaginable tragedy. He had so much to live for and nothing will make up for his loss. I am committed to ensuring that the person responsible for all of this will be held accountable to the full extent of the law and we will do our best to support the Moore family through the difficult criminal legal process.

“On September 14, my office filed charges of Murder in the Second Degree (Felony Murder) and Felony Hit and Run (Death – Driving) against the child we believe is responsible for this horrific crime. The girl was 15 years old at the time of the offense. She has no prior arrests. The laws of our state presume that a child this age must be prosecuted in juvenile court. The only legal mechanism for having her tried as an adult would be for a judge to make very specific legal determinations. As it stands, the facts and circumstances of this case do not legally permit her transfer to adult court. My legal team met with Mr. Moore’s family, explained the legal challenges and answered all of their questions to the best of our ability.

“The respondent has been charged with Murder in the Second Degree under the Felony Murder theory. That is, in the attempt to commit a felony assault with her vehicle, she caused the death of another human being. Specifically, in this case, it is alleged that she intended to hit/bump the victim with a motor vehicle (Assault in the Second Degree), and this caused his death.

“I have heard from many people who knew and loved Mr. Moore that find the legal remedies neither sufficient nor just. My office will do everything within our ability to hold this juvenile legally responsible for her actions and to support the family through the legal process.”

Greg Moore, held by his wife Michelle. Photo courtesy King County Sheriff’s Office.