Update: 8th, Roxbury reopen after chase, crash, investigation

ORIGINAL 6:23 PM REPORT: Traffic alert in south Highland Park/north White Center: Roxbury is blocked both ways at 9th, 8th is blocked both ways at Cambridge. A crash here earlier is believed to have involved some kind of pursuit that scanner info linked to reckless driving. On the east side of the scene, Roxbury is blocked at 7th. Detours onto side streets are a mess; avoid the area.

7:50 PM UPDATE: See comments for at least one witness report so far. We spent some time at the scene last hour – and saw at least three dented/dinged police cars, Burien and SeaTac, with one dripping fluid from its undercarriage, another needing a tire change, while the investigation team did its work. The vehicle that apparently sparked the pursuit – at least, one that matches the description put out on the scanner – was still at the scene too (in the photo we added above), all of this on the south (eastbound) side of Roxbury. Going back shortly to see if it’s reopened yet. 9:47 PM UPDATE: Open again. Thanks again to everyone sharing eyewitness reports in the comments section; we hope to get official details (including total damage to law-enforcement vehicles) from King County Sheriff’s Office in the morning.

21 Replies to "Update: 8th, Roxbury reopen after chase, crash, investigation"

  • Amanda August 15, 2010 (6:59 pm)

    I saw it. It was incredible. The perp was coming south on 8th with the cops in pursuit, crossed over Roxbury where officers were waiting and rammed him. He kept going trying to get into the Eastbound lanes, but the cops rammed him until he stopped. Guns draw and trying to get him through the window. Looked like no one was hurt, but a car or two had some minor damage. It was really surreal.

    Good work by the police.

    • WSB August 15, 2010 (7:38 pm)

      Thanks, Amanda, that explains the dented police cars, which I have not even had time to add to the blurb (and photos) after we just hurtled to three different scenes in the past few hours. Adding now, though – TR

  • rhp August 15, 2010 (7:16 pm)

    We live on 9th, and were surprised to see at least 6 patrol cars speeding down the street at light speed. Glad to hear it ended without (hopefully) injury…but I’m so curious about the details.

  • d August 15, 2010 (7:47 pm)

    I saw them too. Never EVER seen police sedans move like that down 9th. And I have seen plenty. But I thought I saw more lBurien cars…, really really hauled down the street. Cars pulled over and pedestrians were all in a bit of a shocked daze right after…till some kids on the street let out a big WHOOT for the skill of those police officers. Incredible.

  • Becks August 15, 2010 (7:50 pm)

    Thx Amanda! That is just what it sounded like, persuit and then crash. I wasn’t brave enough to go see what was going on, but I have been so curious. Great reporting!

    There are still officers on the scene and a tow truck is helping clean up, I am so grateful no humans or dogs (with the off-leash area in walking distance)were hurt/killed because some moron was trying to evade police!

  • Amanda August 15, 2010 (8:18 pm)

    I swear, I am surprised no one was hurt. Everyone was really shaken up though. I just couldn’t believe that happened right in front of me! The police were NOT messing around, and I was really surprised to see so many Burien officers. There was one King County Sheriff, and then right after, Seattle police were coming from the SW Precinct down Delridge.

  • samson August 15, 2010 (8:44 pm)

    GOOD job SPD, Burien, King County Sheriff!

    One little message for the police officers who control the traffic, use body langauge to tell people to move to right or left lane turn into one lane traffic…

  • Gigi August 15, 2010 (8:59 pm)

    Just came through the area (9pm) & no sign of police.

  • CMP August 15, 2010 (9:03 pm)

    I was right behind the Honda that got hit by the speeding Geo Metro and was lucky to not get hit myself!
    After the Burien police drove up on the curb I realized it must have been a chase. Then the police pulled their guns and I really got freaked out. SPD showed up right away and started to get traffic flowing quickly. Anyway, it was exciting to see but scared the crap out of me. Hope the folks in the Honda that appeared to have been hit are okay.

  • rhp August 15, 2010 (9:20 pm)

    Thanks Amanda and CMP for your accounts, and as always, thanks to WSB for your tenacious reporting!

  • Cynthia T August 15, 2010 (10:57 pm)

    Burien police officers are contracted King County deputies. At least they were 7 years ago. I know this from being the victim of a drunk driver. That’s why you often see them outside of Burien. Never assume thier out of thier jurisdiction.

  • PCisANNOYING August 15, 2010 (11:03 pm)

    So…. Police will put hundreds of people (at least) in danger, driving ridiculously, and causing the “runner” to drive even MORE ridiculously… When it probably turns out that this guy only has a few parking tickets, or a warrant for pot posession or something else NON life threatening… Just doesn’t seem to even out for me… Anyone else feel the same?? BTW… I bet it was pretty excitingl to be an eyewitness though ;)

  • jake August 15, 2010 (11:03 pm)

    I was driving northbound on 9th and saw them flying southbound. as they sped by one of the cops hit a hub cap in the road shooting it into a mini-van that had pulled off to the side. driving by i asked them if they were alright, they had a pretty big gash in the side of the van.

  • Speculating More Annoying than PC August 15, 2010 (11:16 pm)

    I bet WSB will follow-up and determine why there was a pursuit.

    • WSB August 15, 2010 (11:21 pm)

      Yes, as noted at the end of the story.

  • burien resident August 16, 2010 (2:25 am)

    a few people mentioned seeing several Burien police cars involved… pretty sure its because it started way over here somewhere. I live on 10th Ave S, fairly quiet residential street, right off of 128th. I was crossing the street to put something in my mailbox and I heard a police siren, looked up and before I could even process what was happening I dove in the shallow ditch behind the mailboxes to avoid getting hit by the idiot trying to outrun the police car!! must have been going at least 75-80mph heading West on 10th. There was only one police car in pursuit at this point. Was kind of wondering what the outcome was. I can’t believe the distance that was covered, thankfully no one was seriously injured!

  • Keyboard Kerry August 16, 2010 (8:52 am)

    Well, my daughter, my mother and I were collateral damage to this crash. We were pulled over on 8th near the Church of the Nazarene when the 7th police car in the line threw up a sewer grate and it hit our car. Thankfull, it didn’t hit the windshield, but the undercarriage. It was not a hub cap, it was a SEWER GRATE and the gentleman who put it back in it’s place really had to heft it – neither my daugher nor I could pick it up.

    We swung by the W.Sea Precinct and the White Center Precinct to let them know that it was loose enough that it was thrown at us, but no one was there – we then went toward Roxbury and 8th and saw all the cops and the car they chased all over the intersection. The traffic diverting SPD was testy when we pulled up, but thanked us for reporting the incident.

    Thanks to all of you folks from the Church of the Nazarine and the concerned neighbors who came out to check on our wellbeing. We are fine – thank God it hit our car and not a little one playing in front of their house.

  • WomanWomanski August 16, 2010 (10:00 am)

    they flew past my house twice over by southern hts elementary. the first time, there was only 1 cop car, the second time (mins later), there were 3 cop cars. i have seen that car many, MANY times before in the neighborhood. doing burnouts on the streets with other POS cars & scooters! morons! glad they got caught!

  • WSB August 16, 2010 (11:23 am)

    I just spoke with KCSO Sgt. Jim Laing and got some basics on what happened and why. Followup in the works – I’ll put the URL here as soon as it’s up. – TR

  • hisgirlfriend. August 17, 2010 (8:47 pm)

    i am the girlfriend of the driver who fled. i am so frustrated this happened, and would like all to know that i am very sorry this happened and anyone that was involved i am truly sorry! i am going through a hard time with this and would like everyone to know that he is an idiot!
    im sorry!

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