Four Washington State Patrol vehicles were struck by three reportedly impaired drivers over the weekend in King County, including the first one in Kent.
No troopers were injured and one reportedly impaired driver had minor injuries, according to the State Patrol.
At about 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, a trooper was stopped at a traffic light on State Route 516 and Military Road South in Kent, according to a Nov. 24 State Patrol press release. The light turned green and the trooper noticed a vehicle at the light with the driver apparently asleep.
The trooper was unable to get the driver’s attention at which time the vehicle started rolling into the intersection, according to the press release. The trooper placed his vehicle in front of the other vehicle and was struck, but prevented the vehicle from rolling into the intersection. The State Patrol arrested the driver for suspected impairment.
The next three patrol car collisions occurred just before 3 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 when two troopers were at the scene of a hit-and-run collision on southbound Interstate 5 in Tukwila near the Boeing Access Road blocking lane one.
A vehicle traveling southbound on I-5 came into the scene and struck one patrol vehicles pushing it into the other patrol vehicle and subsequently struck the second patrol vehicle, according to the press release. Troopers took the driver of the vehicle into custody for suspected impairment.
Shortly after this collision another trooper was responding to assist with traffic control and as he was approaching the scene he was struck by another vehicle. The driver of this vehicle was also placed into custody for suspected impairment.
“This is a glaring example of the dangers troopers face on the roadways every day and these collisions could have 100% been avoided,” according to the press release. “These two drivers made a choice to get behind the wheel impaired and put several lives in danger.”
Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batistee emphasized the dangers of driving while impaired, especially with the heavily traveled roads during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend coming up.
“Driving after or while consuming alcohol or drugs is a terrible choice and can cost you your life or someone else’s,” Batistee said. “We need you to buckle up, slow down and mover over for your troopers and first responders. Let’s all give ourselves a chance to appreciate and responsibly celebrate the holidays with loved ones and friends.”
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