VIDEO: Police follow wrong-way driver across West Seattle Bridge

12:58 AM: Police are looking for a driver who they wound up following across the West Seattle Bridge – going the wrong way. We heard it all start on the scanner on I-5, and then police reported the driver was going westbound in the eastbound lanes of the bridge. The driver hit a barrier, according to police, and kept going. We recorded part of this via an SDOT camera and will add it when we can. The driver reportedly got off the bridge and then was seen on California by Charlestown “all over the road” but we haven’t heard any updates since. The vehicle is described so far as an older white Tahoe, and it’s reported to have left a trailer behind somewhere along the way. If you see this – or any other – erratic driver, call 911.

1:33 AM: Added our phone video of the SDOT camera that showed the wrong-way driver and police. Watch the left side of the screen for a vehicle trailing sparks. Still haven’t heard any word of police finding him (the description that was broadcast mentioned a beard as well as a gray beanie, so we’re fairly sure the driver was male).

10:44 AM: We confirmed with SPD that the vehicle/driver never was found. We also found out that officers in the South Precinct initially believed there was some association with a burglary case, but now they don’t think so, and believe it was more likely a case of driving under the influence.

Curious February 2, 2018 (4:06 am)

Just a bit curious how driver can be followed by the police across bridge, but don’t know where the car or driver is….

AHLifer48 February 2, 2018 (6:28 am)

Ummm… how did the cops lose the driver? They were right behind him. 🤨

LK February 2, 2018 (7:38 am)

Right? Will be a heck of a story to tell his buddies, if he remembers it. Miraculous nobody was injured.

LB February 2, 2018 (11:27 am)

He’s lucky to be alive to tell his buddies. Just thankul the idiot didn’t kill anyone. No sympathy.

TJ February 2, 2018 (7:58 am)

Very weird story, being the police followed the vehicle across the bridge and were able to get a description of the driver as having a beard and gray beanie, and reported to be seen driving dangerously on Cali Ave, yet never caught him. Of course we don’t know the particulars of the story, like did the police get close enough to see him and give the description, or was it another vehicle at some other point

Funnynotfunny February 2, 2018 (8:27 am)

Could it have been OJ? White SUV, never caught…oh, that’s right it was a Bronco. ;)

MaryV February 2, 2018 (9:04 am)

It sounded from the story that the driver was driving dangerously on California/Charlestown so the police probably backed-off for innocent bystander safety reasons.

But I’m sure if they hadn’t and the chase went on a few of you would be complaining how the police put others into harms way…never happy are you…

WSB February 2, 2018 (9:16 am)

MV – that’s about what the scanner traffic sounded like. SPD has very stringent pursuit policies and the main reason they followed this guy this far (it all started somewhere in the South Precinct) was because he went onto the wrong side of the highway – I don’t know if anything aside from erratic driving drew their attention to him originally. I’m also not sure what the eventual path was, because I had originally thought I heard that he got off at the Harbor Avenue exit – but that would have been impossible from where he disappeared from view on the camera I was recording. – TR

KT February 2, 2018 (9:05 am)

I sure hope you get the rest of the story. Watching the video it would appear to be impossible for SPD to have “lost” this fool.

sam-c February 2, 2018 (9:23 am)

Interesting- saw lots of car parts strewn on the road on the way into work this morning. wonder if it’s related ? there’s a bumper and lots of other pieces at the 28th ave/ 106th intersection. Saw some other car pieces somewhere else, but now can’t remember where.

Nowiknow February 2, 2018 (9:28 am)

Best way to avoid ticket- keep driving

Patrik February 2, 2018 (11:12 am)

Seattle PD has a strict laws against high speed chases. At least this idiot didn’t hurt anything other than a highway barrier.

dsa February 2, 2018 (12:29 pm)

DUI and able to escape? I think sober and able to escape. Also the cops might have a take on the license plate if the car had one since they did get somewhat close.

Chuck February 2, 2018 (12:30 pm)

Too me, this points to our lack of SPD presence in W. Seattle (see huge increase in property crimes). I get that they had to back off, but if there were enough cops IN THE AREA there is no way they shouldn’t have been able to keep tabs on the guy until he either ran into a tree or just got out and ran. Follow safely from a distance, get other cars in his path,, spike strips, etc. But if the squad cars aren’t there to begin with… Sorry, but this one belongs in the FAIL file. We have the population, why don’t we have a level of police presence to support it?

T February 2, 2018 (1:21 pm)

I agree. Property crimes but to me it’s obvious no traffic cops patrol WS. Lots of unsafe driving. This report above us just another example. Yes I have reported my concerns to Captain Sano, find it fix it, the city website, junction association, anyone who will listen but I haven’t seen any results despite giving detailed reports for a few years . #frustrating! It’s like a free for all/ wild west.

T February 2, 2018 (1:30 pm)

Three patrol cars lost the vehicle?!

B.W. February 2, 2018 (1:42 pm)

Hey, Chuck, who did you vote for? This city/council hates the police.

Graciano February 2, 2018 (3:47 pm)

Hey ***,

Do you think Police chasing after someone is like on TV where the Police always get their “man” it’s not like the streets are clear of all vehicles and pedestrians (on TV) when the police are after someone in real life! But you know if like what Mary V stated if the police kept the chase on and the vehicle they were after crashed and wrecked someone else’s car, property or heaven forbid killed someone you know you all would be all over the police like no tomorrow.

AHLifer48 February 2, 2018 (4:53 pm)

Hey ***,

Agreed, however as to Chuck’s point. If we had a larger police presence over here the driver most likely would have been caught. Despite what B.W. has to say. Also I’m pretty sure most people realize it’s not an “as seen on tv” episode.

steve February 3, 2018 (8:54 am)

I usually write down the license plate number.

Tn February 3, 2018 (11:13 pm)

Saw someone tonight at 8:30ish pm drive up (wrong way)the westbound harbor Ave exit into the bridge – realized they were going the wrong way then made a u turn…..scary

Sorry, comment time is over.