SEATTLE – A suspect has been taken into custody after multi-car crash spanning more than three blocks of Rainier Avenue South in Seattle hospitalized at least 10 people Friday, including children.
The crash happened just before 5 p.m. during Friday's evening rush hour in south Seattle. According to police, a white pickup truck driver was driving down the street hitting one car after another. A total of 15 cars were involved, nine of them were occupied. Police say the driver was reportedly driving erratically and traveling at speeds of more than 60 miles per hour.
"I just heard a big boom," said Basmia Sadeeq, who saw the crash. "It was just the most terrifying car accident I have ever seen in my life."
"We jumped out of the way. It was like final destination," said Lillian Gibens. "Kids were here. It was crazy."
The truck struck another truck with five people inside, flipping it onto its side. The driver of the vehicle was critically injured and two children inside were seriously injured, according to firefighters. The victims were extricated from the vehicle before they were rushed to Harborview Medical Center.
A driver in a red vehicle that was also struck was critically injured. A driver in another car suffered serious injuries. The white truck also struck a Seattle police captain's vehicle and a Metro bus; the police driver suffered minor injuries.
A total of 10 people were hurt and six people were taken to Harborview Medical Center.
Police have arrested the male driver of the white pickup. Investigators were looking into whether drugs, alcohol or a medical condition were a factor.
Darryl Saulsbury says he pulled that pickup driver, described as an older man, from his car just before police arrested him.
"He said he thought he hit the brake but he hit the accelerator and that was all he had to say," Saulsbury said.
Police estimated Rainier Avenue S. between S. Henderson Street and Seward Avenue Park S. would remain closed until early Saturday morning.
