SEATTLE — Seattle police are looking for a driver who crashed a Tesla into a Fremont building and then abandoned the vehicle.
Around 1:30 a.m. Friday, callers began reporting that a vehicle had driven up onto the curb and crashed into several businesses at Fremont Place North and North 36th Street in Seattle. The crash was next to the neighborhood landmark Statue of Lenin, but no damage was done to the structure.
The crash destroyed a staircase that led to Psychic Journey, and also caused broken windows and interior damage at Sinbad Express.
One of the employees of Sinbad Express said it would take about two weeks to make repairs, but that they would stay open. He said this is a very difficult situation.
Nearby bar and restaurant Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar was open when the crash happened, and an employee spoke with KING 5 at the scene.
"I keep going back to, it's remarkable that nobody got hurt," said Josh Kuse.
The owner of Psychic Journey called the crash heartbreaking. She said her business was just bouncing back from the pandemic and that this would impact her, but she said everything is replaceable and she is just thankful no one was hurt.
The roadway was closed temporarily while police cleared the debris and towed the damaged vehicle away. Throughout the morning city crews were cleaning up damage as onlookers were shocked to see what had happened.
“It looks like a movie set in a way, but it's real life,” said Rew Rodriguez, who works next door to Sinbad Express at Royal Grinders. “It’s hard to see, it's heartbreaking.”
"I thought it was a fire at first, just because there was so much damage,” said Will Pike, a Fremont resident. “But then I didn't see anything charred.”
Residents hope people make smarter choices on the road and avoid driving recklessly.
“They exited their vehicle, and they ran. So, to me that says they're doing something wrong,” said Pike.
It is unclear how many people were in the vehicle when it crashed, but no driver or passengers were at the scene when KING 5 arrived.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Track KING 5’s traffic resources to help you navigate western Washington roads and get to your destination safely.