Wednesday, June 19, 2013 | 1:44 a.m.
Hi, (not you?) | Member Center | Sign Out
Posted: 8:39 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16, 2012
comment(8)
SEATTLE —
A student from China who came to Seattle to go to school has been charged in a crash that injured a car full of teens and left a woman on life support.
Court documents said Yichun Xu may have been in the U.S. illegally and was driving without a license when he crashed his Mercedes into another car after running a stop sign in Des Moines on Saturday.
Witnesses said he was going 70 mph in a 30 mph zone.
KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter David Ham, who obtained the car’s license plate number, looked online and found an ad listing the matching 2008 Mercedes C-350 Sport for sale for $31,000.
"It's not the type of car that a 19-year-old without any driver's license should have any business behind the wheel of,” said attorney David Nold.
Nold is the attorney for Brenda Gomez, the 25-year-old woman who is on life support after she was injured in the crash with Xu.
Police said Gomez was driving a car full of teens to a Quinceanera 15th birthday party on Saturday when Xu ran a stop sign and slammed Gomez’ car against a rock wall.
Prosecutors charged Xu with four counts of vehicular assault and two counts of reckless endangerment.
Xu’s bail was initially set at $500,000 but was raised to $2 million Thursday because he is considered a flight risk.
Prosecutors want to make sure the 19-year-old doesn't flee to China.
"It's entirely possible if the defendant obtains a bond or bail that's achievable through a bond or bail bondsman that we'll never see him again,” said Nold.
Ham asked the jail to pass a note to Xu asking him to call Ham collect, but Ham has not heard back.
Xu’s arraignment is set for November 29.
comment(8)
© 2013 Cox Media Group. By using this website,
you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices
.
Already have an account? Sign In
{* #registrationForm *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Already have an account? Sign In
{* #registrationFormBlank *} {* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddressBlank *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordBlank *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirmBlank *} {* agreeToTerms *}We have sent you a confirmation email. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account.
We look forward to seeing you frequently. Visit us and sign in to update your profile, receive the latest news and keep up to date with mobile alerts.
Don't worry, it happens. We'll send you a link to create a new password.
{* #forgotPasswordForm *} {* forgotPassword_emailAddress *}We have sent you an email with a link to change your password.
We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.
To sign in you must verify your email address. Fill out the form below and we'll send you an email to verify.
{* #resendVerificationForm *} {* resendVerification_emailAddress *}Check your email for a link to verify your email address.

You're Almost Done!
Select a display name and password
{* #socialRegistrationForm *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Tell us about yourself
{* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* agreeToTerms *}