Teen driver blamed for crash that kills woman and 3 children in a van near Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) — A woman driving a van with five children inside was killed along with three of the kids when a teenage driver caused a multi-vehicle crash in a suburb of Seattle, authorities said.

Two other vehicles also were involved, and four people were hospitalized, including three with life-threatening injuries. Images from the scene showed the crash ripped apart at least one of the vehicles and crumpled another.

Killed in Tuesday’s crash in Renton were Andrea Smith Hudson, 38; Matilda Wilcoxson, 13; and Eloise Wilcoxson and Boyd B. Brown, who were both 12, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office said. Hudson’s family said her two children were among those injured, according to KOMO-TV.

Also among the injured was an 18-year-old male driver, who was being kept under guard at a hospital. The King County Sheriff’s Office said the teen caused the crash, and “criminal charges are pending” as an investigation continues.