Chaos ensued on Mercer Island last Saturday morning when an I-90 police chase escalated into an apparent bomb scare, leading to the highway's closure and gridlock traffic. According to KING5, the Bellevue Police Department and Washington State Department of Transportation confirmed that the interstate was shut down after officers pursuing a stolen black sedan encountered a suspect allegedly attempting to ignite an explosive device. The ordeal began near the 3500 block of 108th Avenue in Bellevue, as officers responded to reports of two middle-aged men asleep in the idling vehicle.
Authorities swiftly responded when explosive devices were thrown from a vehicle on I-90 east of Island Crest Way. The Bellevue Police halted traffic in both directions as part of their tactical response. "Another object thrown was described by police as a type of firework," FOX13 Seattle detailed. The shutdown, which began just after 12:30 p.m., resulted in significant traffic disruption, affecting drivers across Lake Washington.
A dramatic scene was captured in a State Patrol photo revealing a crashed dark sedan, cornered by law enforcement vehicles, a stark reminder of the day's tension. The suspect, in a desperate move, turned towards the police with a blowtorch to light an explosive. He was overpowered by officers who promptly took him into custody and initiated a closure of the interstate. As reported by The Seattle Times, bomb squads from multiple agencies were called to the scene, uncovering two more explosive devices inside the vehicle.
The driver's charges were grave. Bellevue police announced arrests for investigation of possession of an explosive device, assault, driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle, and eluding law enforcement. The passenger, with active warrants, also faced arrest. While one officer sustained minor injuries and was treated on the scene, the repercussions of the incident spanned wider, with "traffic backed up for miles in both directions, from Lake Sammamish to Seattle," as per The Seattle Times.
After around three hours of standstill and investigative efforts, I-90 lanes were reopened by 3:10 p.m., bringing relief to many. WSDOT confirmed the reopening of the interstate, easing the tension that gripped frequent commuters and travelers looking to cross Lake Washington, especially given the 520 bridge's closure that same weekend for construction.
