FOLLOWUP: Driver arrested for investigation of DUI in West Seattle Bridge crash, after bystanders keep him from leaving scene

In our Monday morning traffic-and-weather coverage, we had updates on a multiple-vehicle crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. We followed up with SPD to ask for more inforation on the circumstances, and got this summary as the reply:

On Jan. 19 at about 9:30 a.m., patrol officers responded to a vehicle collision on the West Seattle Bridge.

The suspected impaired driver attempted to flee the scene, yet two bystanders stopped him and were holding onto him, preventing him from leaving the area of the crash. Police arrived and detained the suspect, a 39-year-old man. Officers determined that the suspect collided into two vehicles. Witnesses believed that the suspect’s “high rate-of-speed” was a factor in the collision, according to the police report. Police also impound the suspect’s vehicle, which sustained significant damage. Believing the suspect to be impaired, police arrested him for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) following their on-scene investigation.

Officers transported the suspect to the Southwest Precinct for processing. At the precinct, an SPD Drug Recognition Expert evaluated the suspect and determined that he was impaired. Police transported the suspect to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) while they applied for a DUI search warrant for blood. A judge approved the warrant, and a nurse drew the blood; officers collected it as evidence. The suspect required additional medical treatment at HMC, and officers released him from custody at the hospital.

The Seattle Police Department is grateful that nobody was seriously injured in the collision. And we thank our community members for helping our officers get an impaired driver off the road.

Tax Payer January 20, 2026 (2:21 pm)

“and officers released him from custody at the hospital.” What?

WSB January 20, 2026 (3:22 pm)

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If someone is admitted to the hospital and to remain in custody, a police officer has to be stationed at the hospital continuously. Released from custody doesn’t mean they won’t be prosecuted.

anonyme January 20, 2026 (3:02 pm)

Drunk at 9:30 am? Then it can’t have been the first time. A DUI requires a serious crackdown the first time, not the 5th or 10th time, or after someone dies. Kudos to the bystanders who prevented him from fleeing the scene.

Logic January 20, 2026 (10:37 pm)

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No. It could have been the first time.

Alan Ford January 20, 2026 (3:26 pm)

Oh, OK, so the “high rate of speed” was a factor in the collision, not the fact that he was drunk out of his mind. Whew. Almost shattered the narrative in which every accident ever is due to speeding and nothing else.

Lauren January 20, 2026 (4:58 pm)

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… really don’t think anyone is claiming that here…
Speeder January 20, 2026 (8:56 pm)

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Witnesses noted the high speed was factor.
There are allegations of the driver being impaired.
But there is no proof that he was “drunk out of his mind” until the blood work is complete.
Accidents simply don’t happen without speed being a factor, albeit speed is not the sole factor as Alan Ford claims.

Lauren January 20, 2026 (5:02 pm)

The Washington state legislator has a bill going through that would lower the legal blood alcohol limit to 0.05%. It’s very, very easy to comment on the bill and give your support: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=2362

SeattleSun January 21, 2026 (8:08 am)

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Thanks for the great suggestion! Just did it. Grateful some good deeds are still actionable

K January 21, 2026 (5:30 am)

Nothing in the story said alcohol was suspected. DUI and driving impaired would also include meth, crack, and other drugs. He may way have not been drunk out of his mind at 9:30 in the morning, or even drunk at all.

Jennie January 21, 2026 (6:45 am)

Thanks for sharing that link, Lauren, https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=2362. After you click look on the righthand side to ‘Send a Comment to your Legislatures’. Took me about a minute to fill out.

22blades January 21, 2026 (7:25 am)

“…nobody was seriously injured in the collision…”Even if you think you’re not injured or think “it’ll be fine”, get checked out. My pain didn’t manifest itself until a half hour after the incident. Adrenalin is a strong chemical, It still “talks” to me almost three years later.