March 29, 2023 A driver trying to escape Seattle police dragged two officers before two other officers in cruisers collided with the suspect’s vehicle, sandwiching it between the patrol units.
By Amanda Zhou Source The Seattle Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Seattle police are investigating a crash involving two patrol vehicles that occurred Tuesday morning as officers attempted to detain a driver of a “suspicious” vehicle in Georgetown. Four officers were injured during the encounter, which included officers being dragged by the suspect’s car as he attempted to drive off.
SPD said officers tried to stop a car around 5:45 a.m. at a business near the intersection of South Michigan Street and Sixth Avenue South when the car “eluded” them.
Police said the driver resisted officers, got into his car and drove off, injuring officers and hitting another police vehicle. Officers managed to stop the vehicle using a “vehicle tactic.” A silver car at the scene was sandwiched between two SPD cars, with one cruiser crushed against the rear of the car and another at the driver’s side.
Officers sustained minor injuries after getting dragged from the fleeing car and were taken to Harborview Medical Center. Four officers and the driver sustained minor injuries, according to police.
All lanes in the area were reopened after an hourslong closure of westbound lanes.
The driver has been arrested on investigation of assault, driving under the influence and eluding, police said.
Police initially said officers were attempting to recover a stolen car but later said the vehicle was not stolen but deemed “suspicious.”