LYNNWOOD, Wash — A fatal crash involving two cars that blocked all lanes of state Route 525 just south of state Route 99 in Lynnwood has been cleared and the roadway reopened Friday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
An 83-year-old woman, identified in a WSP incident report as Trudy L. Slanger of Lynnwood, died at the scene. The suspect driver and 34-year-old female passenger in the other car were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to South County Fire.
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said deputies were chasing a suspect vehicle Thursday evening in connection to a domestic violence assault and kidnapping of a woman who was inside the vehicle.
The suspect driver began traveling in the wrong direction of traffic on the highway and deputies stopped the pursuit, the sheriff's office said. The driver struck the car that Slanger was driving head-on, WSP said. The suspect's car rolled and caught on fire before coming to rest on the barrier between the northbound and southbound lanes.
Washington State Department of Transportation cameras showed what appears to be at least one vehicle, with extensive damage, positioned on the roadway's median barrier.
The suspect driver, a 37-year-old Kenmore man, according to WSP, was taken into custody on suspicion of vehicular assault and DUI. The suspect has an extensive criminal history, which includes 11 felonies, according to information from Washington State Patrol. KING 5 is not naming the suspect because he has not been charged in this crash.
Medics, fire crews and Washington State Patrol were on scene for hours overnight.
Northbound 525 was diverted to Alderwood Mall Parkway and southbound 525 was diverted to state Route 99 while the roadway was closed.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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