SEATTLE — Authorities on Thursday arrested the driver of a vehicle involved in a collision moments before a separate deadly crash on Interstate 5 earlier this month.
A 26-year-old suspect was arrested by Washington State Patrol (WSP) deputies Thursday for investigation of felony hit and run and providing false statements to law enforcement.
According to WSP, the suspect was the driver of a vehicle that lost control on southbound I-5 on June 2, moments before a deadly crash at the scene. The suspect allegedly told law enforcement that the driver of their vehicle only known as "Tae" had fled the scene. Through the investigation, WSP learned "Tae" never existed.
The initial incident began at 4 a.m. on June 2 when the suspect's car lost control, struck the barrier and became disabled while traveling down the ramp from the West Seattle Bridge to southbound I-5.
The three occupants exited the vehicle to get to a safe location when one of them was struck by a motorhome. An AMR vehicle came upon the scene and parked behind the disabled vehicle with its lights on.
WSP said the AMR employee began giving aid to the pedestrian who was struck by the motorhome when they noticed a third vehicle heading toward them at freeway speeds. The AMR employee was able to jump out of the way as the vehicle struck the AMR truck, pushing it into the disabled vehicle and ultimately trapping the pedestrian underneath it.
The Seattle Fire Department declared the pedestrian dead at the scene. The driver that struck the AMR truck was arrested for suspected impairment.
Highline College confirmed in a Facebook post that the 26-year-old victim was alumni Shanique Dickens.