Seattle police officer killed in collision with stolen auto

A Seattle police officer on her way to work this morning was killed by a man who police say was speeding in a stolen Honda through Seattle's Interbay neighborhood.

The officer, Beth Nowak, 30, had started working as a Seattle Police patrol officer less than two weeks ago. The 30-year-old officer was driving her BMW west on West Prospect Street at 2:35 a.m. when she was broadsided by the Honda near the intersection of Elliott Avenue West, said police spokesman Sean Whitcomb.

Nowak and the man driving the Honda were killed instantly. A woman who was a passenger in the Honda was taken to Harborview Medical Center with unknown injuries.

The King County Medical Examiner said Nowak died of injuries to her head, neck, and body.

When contacted in Wisconsin, Nowak's sister said she just found out about the crash and said she wasn't ready to make a formal comment. A person who answered the phone at Nowak's Seattle home also said she wasn't ready to comment.

Sources say Nowak formerly worked at the Racine, Wis., police department.

In Seattle, Nowak was assigned to the East Precinct where she worked the early day shift. She completed field training recently, Whitcomb said.

The Honda was stolen last night from in front of a Starbucks in South Seattle. Witnesses said that just before the crash, the driver had been speeding and not using his headlights. The man's identity hasn't been released by police.

On Aug. 13, a woman driving a speeding vehicle crashed into the patrol car of rookie Seattle police officer Joselito Barber, 26, killing him instantly. Barber had been on the job only five months. Mary Jane Rivas has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and cocaine possession charges.

This morning's commute was snarled because of the crash, said Seattle police Sgt. Deanna Nollette. Elliott Avenue and West Prospect Street were reopened about an hour ago.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com