SEATTLE — A 75-year-old woman was left blind in one eye and suffered serious facial injuries after a random assault Friday in downtown Seattle.

Jeanette Marken spoke exclusively with KING 5 on Wednesday, sharing her story for the first time.

Marken was delivering food orders around noon Friday at Third Avenue and James Street when she says she was blindsided. Marken speaks Spanish and her son, Andrius Dyrikis, helped to translate.

“She just needed to cross the street on the red light, like, she was waiting for the red light to change,” he said.

Police say the suspect, 42-year-old Fale Pea, approached Marken from behind and struck her with a wooden plank with a long metal screw at the end.

“There were no observed prior interactions between the defendant or victim before he assaulted her,” according to court documents. “There is no apparent reason why he chose her to attack.”

The blow sent Marken crashing to the ground, breaking her nose and cheekbone, and severely damaging her right eye.

“Out of nowhere, a crazy person decided to destroy one’s life,” Dyrikis said. His brother also sat beside their mother. The two traveled from out of the country to be by her and their father’s sides.

Deputies quickly arrested Pea, who is known to police for violent behavior. Most recently, Pea has misdemeanor convictions: one assault in 2024, four assaults in 2023, and one in 2020. Fale also has a previous conviction for 2nd degree felony assault with a deadly weapon in 2012.

Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, emphasized the randomness of the attack. “It’s real concern, because that not only affects the victim, but every person who uses that sidewalk,” McNerthney said.

Pea now faces first-degree assault with a deadly weapon charges and his bail is set at $1 million “based on the likelihood that the defendant will fail to appear in response to a summons or that he may commit a violent offense,” according to charging documents.

For Marken, the assault has brought profound changes. She can no longer work or drive. “They took that away from her,” her son said.

“The judge needs to understand that she destroyed her life… she’s alive, she’s gonna smile again because I’m gonna make sure of it, but part of her independence is destroyed,” said Dyrikis.

Another surgery looms, and her family is working to cover what likely will be tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. A crowdfunding site has been set up to support Marken in her recovery.

Before the attack, Marken said she looked forward to retirement and spending more time painting. “That is pure joy,” her son said. Arts and crafts have long been her outlet for bringing joy to others.

Financial pressures add to the challenge: “This is a paycheck-to-paycheck household,” Dyrikis explained.

Despite the trauma, Marken remembers the kindness of strangers immediately after the attack. “A lot of people helped me, and they were bringing me a lot of Kleenex to stop the bleeding,” Marken shared, speaking in Spanish.

Dyrikis is frustrated that somebody with the capability to randomly target violence against somebody was allowed to walk freely on the streets prior to the attack.

“Nobody deserves this,” Dyrikis said, fighting back tears. “The United States, like Seattle, is supposed to be … the best city, the most secure. And how could this happen here? What is wrong? What? What is happening?”

Marken’s courage in sharing her story offers a glimpse of resilience and the human spirit in the face of sudden, senseless violence.

“Even the doctors seeing her were surprised with how joyful she was — saying thank you to every doctor who attended her,” Dyrikis said. “We love her. And that I’ll do anything to see her smile again. I just want her to be happy again.”