Child accidentally run over, dies

Kingston

A 14-month-old girl died Tuesday when a car driven by her 15-year-old sister backed over her in the driveway of a rural home northwest of Kingston, the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office reported.

The Kitsap County Coroner's Office identified the child as Hannah K. Bryant.

Deputy Scott Wilson said the child suffered serious head and internal injuries and was transported by a North Kitsap Fire and Rescue unit to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton after being resuscitated at the scene. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Wilson said the accident occurred on private property in the 33700 block of Northeast Eglon Road shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday. At the request of the 15-year-old's mother, the girl was backing the family car, unaware that the toddler was behind the vehicle. The driver apparently felt the vehicle strike something, the deputy said. Wilson said the girl was performing an errand for her mother and using the car to drive on private family property.

Wilson said there was no indication of reckless driving or driving under the influence. "This is an extremely unfortunate accident," he said. The name of the driver was not released.

Portland

New flights link Portland, Seattle

A group of Portland investors has launched an air service for expedited travel between Portland and Seattle.

SeaPort Air says it will get travelers from one downtown to the other in 90 minutes — using alternative sites to cut out delays associated with the major airports.

The turboprop aircraft service will fly out of its own terminal adjacent to Portland International Airport and into King County International Airport, also known as Boeing Field, just south of downtown Seattle.

SeaPort says travelers can arrive 15 minutes before their flights and have access to on-site parking to save time.

Service begins June 30 with flights every 45 minutes during peak times. The July introductory fare is $149 for a round trip.

Seattle

Lawyer to fill Port's procurement job

A former King County public-works procurement officer has been named to the newly created post of director of the central procurement office for the Port of Seattle.

Nora Huey, a licensed attorney, will oversee all procurement for the Port, including construction contracting and professional and personal service agreements, Port spokeswoman Charla Skaggs said.

The new procurement position was created by Port chief Tay Yoshitani as part of the agency's newly created capital-development division, after a scathing state audit in December blasted the Port for shoddy management of construction contracts, which auditors said wasted nearly $100 million in public money and violated competitive-bidding laws.

Yoshitani said Huey has experience in managing professional-services agreements and contract administration. She also formerly worked for several years in the King County Prosecutor's Office, specializing in procurement and contracting issues, and for the federal General Services Administration as house counsel, focusing on procurement, contract administration and contract resolution.

Yoshitani said he expects the procurement office to be crucial to the Port's effort to increase efficiency and openness. Huey is expected to start the job June 30.

San Diego

Shelton pair plead guilty in son's death

A Shelton couple who gave their fussy infant son a deadly concoction of adult medications have pleaded guilty and face two-year prison terms in California.

Thomas and Lorrie Boettger, who reached a plea deal, have been in jail for a year and three months. Sentencing is set for July 25.

The Boettgers, both 39, were arrested after their 6-month-old son, Thomas Boettger II, died while they were visiting San Diego in October 2006. The cause was acute intoxication from an antihistamine and a sleeping aid.

In a brief Superior Court appearance Monday, Lorrie Boettger pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, and her husband pleaded guilty to felony child abuse causing great bodily injury.

They faced 15 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.

Blaine

Teenager dies in steamroller joy ride

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office says an 18-year-old man who was taking a joy ride on a steamroller was killed early Tuesday when the vehicle overturned and pinned him.

Sheriff's Sgt. Larry Flynn said the man and two 17-year-old boys had entered a construction site in Blaine and started up some equipment. He said the 18-year-old was driving the steamroller up a dirt pile when it overturned, killing him instantly.

Authorities identified the 18-year-old as Justin Wydur of the Birch Bay area.

Flynn said the case has been referred to the county prosecutor's office, which will determine whether the 17-year-olds will be charged.

Seattle Times staff and news services