SEATTLE, WA — A 22-year-old man has been charged after a wreck early last Tuesday that claimed the life of a 23-year-old man on Seattle’s Ship Canal Bridge, reports The Seattle Medium.
The fatal collision occurred on a stretch of Interstate 5 over the bridge, just past Northeast 45th Street on May 24. It was reported shortly after 4:40 a.m.
An investigation indicates the victim was experiencing car issues and had pulled his Mazda over to the shoulder. He was standing outside his car calling for assistance when the suspect’s southbound Toyota hit the Mazda.
Officials said the victim was in turn hit, causing him to be thrown over the guard railing and 180 feet down into Lake Union.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office, which filed charges against the suspect last Thursday, said the victim is believed to have died in the crash.
The suspect initially told authorities he had been driving at about 65-70 miles per hour and had looked down to adjust his radio when he hit the victim’s car.
Washington State Patrol troopers said the causing driver displayed signs of intoxication at the scene. The suspect later admitted to having had a number of drinks before the crash, and the results of his breathalyzer test exceeded the legal limit of 0.08. He has since been charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving.
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