A 17-year-old girl was rescued from Lake Washington on Saturday after the car she was in went into the water near the 9000 block of Seward Park Ave S, South Seattle. The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) responded to the scene around 5:45 P.M. after reports that someone may have been trapped inside the submerged vehicle. Witness Ben Salehi described hearing cries for help, and upon investigating, saw the car almost fully submerged in the lake.
The driver, a 20-year-old woman, was able to escape through a window and swim to safety. However, her 17-year-old sister was stuck inside the vehicle for around 30 minutes before being rescued by SFD. After being pulled from the water, the teenager was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. KOMO News reported the driver was detained for negligence and was also treated at the hospital in stable condition.
An investigation by the Seattle Police Department revealed that the driver showed signs of impairment. Brian Pritchard, Seattle Police Public Information Officer, confirmed that the driver would be arrested for vehicular assault after being medically evaluated. Pritchard said the 20-year-old showed signs of impairment and she will be arrested for vehicular assault after she is medically evaluated at the hospital, according to an interview with KING 5. KOMO News reported the driver’s suspected impairment as a factor in the incident, which remains under investigation.
Rescue personnel, including divers and swimmers, were safely removed from the water after the operation. The investigation is ongoing, with the 17-year-old’s condition being closely monitored.
