92-year-old man killed in South Seattle when speeding SUV crashes into his car

A 92-year-old man was killed in South Seattle Monday afternoon when a speeding driver lost control of his vehicle, crashed into the man's car and tried to flee, police said.

The crash happened around 4:20 p.m. on Rainier Avenue South and South Holly Street.

The victim was South Seattle resident Salvatore Vito Covello, said his grandson, Jeff Drake, of Olympia.

Covello was driving east on South Holly Street near the 4600 block when a black SUV "traveling at a high rate of speed and possibly fishtailing" collided into his 1996 Buick, said Seattle police spokesman Jeff Kappel.

The suspect hit the driver's side of the Buick, "pushing it up on the sidewalk," Kappel said. Covello was killed instantly.

Shortly after the crash, the suspect, 23, ran north on Rainier Avenue South. Officers were able to find him and arrest him, Kappel said.

Covello was coming back from an outing at the nearby senior center when he was hit, Drake said.

"He wasn't even a mile from his house," he said.

Covello spent his working years as a truck driver, delivering produce to Seattle-area grocery stores. He retired around age 59 and enjoyed a long retirement, Drake said.

Drake described Covello as "very social" and an entertainer who loved to play practical jokes. One time, he said, Covello donned a gorilla suit at a party and peeked in the window. A woman inside saw him and screamed, Drake said.

"He was more my best friend than my grandfather," he said.

Although he was 92, and suffered some aches and pain, he was in good health and got around easily by himself, Drake said.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com