A tragic incident unfolded on State Route 599 overpass in Tukwila last Friday, resulting in the death of one and injuries to several others. The Washington State Patrol reported that an SUV plunged onto the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 after a collision on the overpass.
According to KOMO News, the driver of the Toyota Highlander involved in the crash will be booked on felony hit-and-run charges once he has sufficiently recovered. A passenger in the SUV, later identified as Abdiqadir Ahmed, 26, from Seattle, was killed in the incident. Another passenger sustained life-threatening injuries, while the driver, who had been ejected onto the overpass, fled the scene only to be apprehended minutes later.
Witness DeJean Bowens described the surreal scenario to KIRO 7, stating, "It was crazy to see a freaking car flying over the overpass, it’s just insane." Bowens' car was also hit in the crash. In total, the accident involved four vehicles, with the struck Highlander falling from SR 599 and three other cars sustaining damage on I-5 below.
Detailing the crash, a memo from the Washington State Patrol, cited by The Seattle Times, explains that the Toyota Highlander veered off to the road's right shoulder, collided with a guardrail, careened across the lanes, and ultimately broke through the barrier, landing on I-5. An 84-year-old driver in a Subaru Forester on I-5 was among those injured when their vehicle was struck by the falling Highlander.
The incident led to serious injuries for the 30-year-old driver of the Highlander and another passenger, a 21-year-old. Both individuals, along with the elderly Subaru driver, were transported to medical facilities for care. While the SUV's driver will face felony charges upon medical clearance, the condition of the injured passenger remains undisclosed.
