A driver crashed into a building in Georgetown in Seattle causing it to catch fire, news outlets reported. The suspect driver was arrested following the accident and no other vehicles were involved.
According to law enforcement officials, investigators believe the driver was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the crash.
Driver Was Arrested After Fleeing The Scene Of The Accident
In the early morning on Wednesday, the Seattle Fire Department was called to the scene of an accident in the Georgetown neighborhood. Crews found that a 49-year-old suspect had crashed his vehicle into a building near the 700 block of South Michigan Street causing a fire. Officials said the man was not inside the vehicle when they arrived. Law enforcement took the man into custody blocks away from the scene of the accident. He was eventually taken to the hospital for treatment of self-inflicted lacerations.
South Michigan Street was closed both ways following the accident.
On Twitter, news reporters shared footage of the scene of the accident.
Impaired Drivers More Likely To Crash
According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), 1,650 people died in traffic accidents in the state between 2015 and 2017. More than 50% of the reported traffic fatalities were due to intoxicated driving.
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In Washington, drivers are prohibited from driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, and drugs. In order to help keep drivers from drinking and driving, law enforcement agencies launch campaigns and special target patrols regularly in order to catch drivers who continue to ignore the law. In 2018 alone, 28,606 DUI cases were filed with Washington courts. But despite the high number of arrests and citations, DUI-related accidents continue to take place across the state.
Officials urge drivers to keep in mind that they are three times more likely to be involved in an accident while under the influence of multiple substances. Being a responsible driver who puts safety first means following traffic laws and never driving under the influence.
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