A bicyclist was seriously injured Wednesday in a collision with a vehicle whose driver fled the scene, prompting Redmond police to shut down a stretch of Willows Road Northeast as officers tracked down the suspect. The driver was later located and taken into custody, according to police.
According to KOMO News, Redmond police said the car left the scene after striking the bicyclist. The collision occurred in Redmond.
Willows Road Northeast was closed between Northeast 116th and Northeast 124th streets as officers worked the scene. Police advised drivers to find alternate routes, and said the closure would remain in place for an undetermined amount of time while the investigation continued.
Driver Located and Taken Into Custody
Redmond police said officers located the suspected driver and took them into custody, though the driver's identity, any charges filed, and their current legal status have not been disclosed. The bicyclist's identity, age, and condition beyond being seriously injured have also not been released.
Leaving the scene of a crash that injures someone is a violation of state law. Under RCW 46.52.020, a driver involved in such a collision is required to immediately stop at the scene or as close to it as possible, return if needed, and remain there until fulfilling further legal obligations.
Not the First Hit-and-Run Involving a Redmond Cyclist
This is not the first time Redmond police have investigated a bicyclist struck by a driver who then drove off. In an incident reported by KIRO 7, a witness said a vehicle may have struck a bicyclist near the 3800 block of West Lake Sammamish Parkway at about 1:18 a.m. on a Sunday, Oct. 2, before continuing to drive away; police described the vehicle as a dark Honda SUV.
Another earlier case detailed by the Redmond Reporter involved a bicyclist struck by a truck at 11:36 a.m. on a Sunday, May 31, between 40th Street and 150th Avenue Northeast. That victim survived with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and the driver fled the scene in what police described as a maroon GMC Sierra with a gray stripe on the hood, shown in surveillance footage carrying a ladder. The suspect remained at large as of the Redmond Reporter's report.
A Pattern Reflected in Statewide Numbers
The danger facing cyclists on Washington roads shows up in statewide figures as well. According to a WSDOT snippet, 18 bicyclists were killed and 157 were seriously injured in traffic crashes across the state in 2023.
KOMO News described its report as a developing story to be updated as more information becomes available. Willows Road Northeast remains closed with no timeline yet for reopening, and further details on the bicyclist's condition, the driver's identity, and any charges have not been released.
