A man who evaded authorities for nine years after a fatal crash has been arrested in Seattle. The city has formally declared its readiness to bring back the NBA’s SuperSonics. A stabbing occurred in the parking lot of an assisted living facility, leaving one person in critical condition.
Arrest in West Seattle ends nine-year search for man charged in deadly Kent crash
A man who had been on the run for nearly nine years in connection with a fatal drunk-driving crash was arrested in West Seattle. The arrest was the result of a long-term investigation and law enforcement cooperation.
The West Seattle arrest ended an almost nine-year search for the man charged in a deadly 2017 crash on Interstate 5 in Kent, Washington. According to the Washington State Patrol, 36-year-old Jerry Denson was taken into custody Thursday. He had been on the patrol’s most-wanted list since 2017 after failing to appear in court on a count of vehicular manslaughter. That charge stems from an alcohol-related crash in which 28-year-old Joy Marie Brannon, a former passenger in Denson’s vehicle, was killed. The incident, detailed by KING5.com, was significant: the collision involved three vehicles, leaving five people injured and Brannon dead. According to the report, one car struck another, then crossed the median and rolled. Brannon was ejected onto the lanes of oncoming traffic, and a third car, trying to avoid hitting her, lost control and also overturned.
The investigation continued for years, and only in recent months did investigators obtain reliable information on Denson’s whereabouts. The state patrol worked with the U.S. Marshals Service’s Violent Crime Task Force, which ultimately allowed officers to safely arrest the suspect without incident. After his arrest, Denson was booked into the King County Jail. The case highlights how law enforcement continues to pursue serious crimes despite the passage of time. Vehicular manslaughter is a serious criminal charge in the U.S. that can be filed when driving results in someone’s death and is often tied to aggravating factors such as driving under the influence. The long search and eventual arrest show that the justice system does not forget victims like Joy Marie Brannon and their families. The outcome of the case will now be decided in court, where Denson will finally appear after years on the run.
Return of the SuperSonics: Seattle officially says it’s ready to host an NBA team
Seattle is taking a decisive step toward returning to the top tier of professional basketball, formally declaring its readiness and intent to be home to a new NBA franchise. After years of waiting following the painful relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in 2008, city leaders, business figures and sports fans have come together to try to make the dream a reality.
A key development was the unanimous approval by the City Council’s Transportation, Waterfront and Seattle Center Committee of a resolution affirming the city’s readiness. As KOMO News reports, the document not only signals intent but highlights concrete assets, chief among them Climate Pledge Arena. Councilmember Rob Saka, who sponsored the resolution, said Seattle refuses to be a passive observer in the league’s expansion process. “It’s not a question of if the Sonics will return, it’s a question of when,” he said, noting the team’s departure left “a noticeable hole in Seattle’s cultural landscape.” The formal path to return opened March 25, when the NBA’s board of governors authorized expansion talks with prospective ownership groups in Seattle and Las Vegas — widely seen as the strongest sign yet that the league could be back in the Pacific Northwest by the 2028-29 season.
The centerpiece of Seattle’s bid is Climate Pledge Arena — a modern multipurpose arena built on the site of the historic KeyArena through a unique public-private partnership. Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt stressed that the roughly $1 billion project was fully funded by private investors without using public capital, while the city retained ownership. The arena, which already hosts NHL games (the Seattle Kraken) and WNBA games (the Seattle Storm), was initially designed with NBA requirements in mind. Rosie Selle, the arena’s vice president, noted that some upgrades would be needed to fully meet league standards — for example, separate locker rooms for NBA teams — but overall the venue shows the infrastructural stability the league looks for. Interest from potential owners has already formed: One Roof Sports and Entertainment, linked to the Kraken’s owners and holding a stake in the arena, is the only publicly known bidder for a Seattle franchise.
The financial terms of NBA expansion are a major hurdle. Commissioner Adam Silver has said the expansion fee for a new franchise could range from $7 billion to $10 billion. Former NBA player and Seattle native Spencer Hawes, while expressing broad enthusiasm, cautioned that key issues remain: “They still need to raise a lot of money. There still needs to be another vote.” But he also voiced confidence, praising the city’s unity and the quality of the new arena, calling it “no worse than any I’ve ever been in.” Community support goes beyond sport. Brad Myers, founder of the nonprofit Rise Above, sees the team’s return as an opportunity to expand youth programs. Beth Knox, president and CEO of the Seattle Sports Commission, said the region has long prepared for this chance and is a “first-class sports market.” If successful, Seattle would become only the sixth U.S. city to host teams in all six major leagues: NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS.
The NBA’s return to Seattle is about more than basketball — it’s a story of restoring a historical righting, economic stimulus and collective identity. As Councilmember Saka summed up, “This is bigger than basketball. It’s about economic growth, community investment and restoring a defining piece of Seattle’s identity.” A city that suffered a painful loss is now presenting a coordinated, thoughtful and financially grounded campaign to reclaim its place on the professional sports map.
Stabbing at Seattle assisted living facility: one person in critical condition
Thursday evening brought a disturbing incident to the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. A confrontation between two men in the parking lot of the Spring Manor assisted living facility escalated into a violent stabbing. According to police, one of the men suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The incident, detailed in a KING5.com report, raises renewed concerns about safety at facilities meant to protect vulnerable populations.
According to Seattle Police, the call came shortly after 6:00 p.m. on the 1100 block of 16th Avenue, just three blocks from the Cherry Hill campus of Swedish Hospital. The scene was the Spring Manor parking lot, which markets itself as an assisted living residence — a type of housing for people who need help with daily activities (such as medication management or personal care) but do not require the continuous medical care provided in a nursing home. It was in this seemingly calm setting that the tragedy unfolded. During the altercation, one man was stabbed five to seven times in the chest and arm. Seattle Fire clarified that the victim, a 58-year-old man, was transported in critical condition to Harborview Medical Center — the region’s primary trauma hospital.
Notably, the other participant, a 25-year-old man, also suffered a wound — a cut to his hand described as minor. He, too, was taken to Harborview and, after receiving medical treatment, was arrested. Investigators have not yet confirmed whether either man lived at Spring Manor. That fact adds to the mystery: was this an internal dispute between residents or staff, or did someone from outside enter the facility? Officers at the scene provided first aid before firefighters arrived and recovered a knife believed to be the weapon. The incident shocked locals, as nursing homes and assisted living facilities are typically seen as safe havens where elderly and vulnerable people can feel protected. The event calls into question security at such facilities and raises concerns about measures to prevent violence. While motive and the relationship between the men remain unknown, the very fact of such a brutal attack at this type of site has alarmed the public and will likely prompt regulatory review.
