Seattle/ Crime & Emergencies
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Published on September 19, 2024
Seattle man arrested for DUI after high-speed crash on Spokane Street Bridge, Passenger injured, firearm seizedSource: Seattle Police Department

A man was arrested last Saturday evening after crashing his vehicle into a barrier on the Spokane Street Bridge in Seattle while allegedly driving under the influence, authorities report. According to the Seattle Police Department's blotter, the incident occurred at 7:01 p.m. and involved a single vehicle that was traveling "at a high rate of speed" before it lost control, breaking through a gate and eventually coming to a halt after striking another gate.

Seattle Fire Department emergency responders arrived at the scene to find a 21-year-old female passenger who required immediate medical attention; they extracted her from the vehicle after cutting the roof off and she was then transported to Harborview Medical Center, thankfully in stable condition. The 25-year-old male driver appeared to have minor injuries and showed signs of alcohol impairment which led to his arrest on charges including Driving Under the Influence and Unlawful Carry of a Pistol after a loaded Glock 45 9mm pistol was found in the vehicle and subsequently seized by police as evidence.

Post-collision, the driver was taken to the same hospital where the DUI blood warrant — which a judge later approved — confirmed the presence of alcohol, after which he was released from police custody pending further investigation into the matter. As crews work on repairs, the Spokane Street Bridge remains inaccessible to vehicle traffic as reported by the Seattle Department of Transportation.

These events reflect ongoing concerns about impaired driving and gun possession, amidst city efforts to maintain public safety on the road. The Seattle Police continue to investigate the specifics of this occurrence as they enforce laws intended to prevent future similar incidents.