An 85-year-old Seattle man wound up in handcuffs Sunday after police say his attempt to cut the Bainbridge Island ferry line turned into a confrontation that ended with an officer getting punched. Court documents say the driver of an orange 2026 Porsche Macan nearly hit a ferry worker and rolled over spike strips before officers pulled him out of the vehicle.
What Happened At The Ferry
According to KIRO/MyNorthwest, the driver tried to make an illegal right turn from eastbound Winslow Way to slip into the ferry line. When a worker told him he could not cut in, investigators say he hit the gas and drove toward the employee, who later reported having to push off the Porsche's hood to avoid being run over. A witness told officers the car missed the worker by only a few inches.
How Officers Stopped The Car
Per The Seattle Times, Bainbridge Island police laid spike strips in front of the Porsche and the SUV ran over them as surrounding traffic began to move, puncturing multiple tires. An officer then opened the driver's door to shut off the engine. Investigators say the 85-year-old responded by punching the officer in the face. Paramedics later reported finding no medical condition that would have affected his driving, and the man was booked into the Kitsap County Jail.
Charges And Court Status
As reported by KIRO/MyNorthwest, the driver now faces charges including third-degree assault of an officer, reckless driving and refusing to obey traffic control. Court filings quote him telling officers he "just wanted to get on the ferry" and that he believed he "shouldn't have to" follow the posted traffic rules. He appeared in Kitsap County Superior Court and was released pending further proceedings.
Ferry-Line Confrontations Aren't New
Local reporting shows this was not the first time a fight over ferry access has landed a driver in serious trouble. In a 2018 case, a motorist accused of cutting a ferry loading line allegedly rammed an attendant, leading to criminal charges, as detailed by SeattlePI. With heavy traffic and tight schedules, ferry lanes can turn tense quickly, and workers directing the flow of vehicles are left vulnerable when drivers decide the rules do not apply to them.
