A two-vehicle accident that happened Tuesday on southbound I-5 at the Ship Canal Bridge in Seattle resulted in one death, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) told news reporters. The driver who’s being held responsible for the crash was allegedly driving under the influence at the time.
Officials said that the Tuesday morning collision happened around 4:30 a.m. Prior to the accident, the victim had pulled over due to car trouble. As he stood outside of his car, a suspected drunk driver drove into the stopped vehicle and the man, throwing him 180 feet off the bridge down to Lake Union below.
Due to the impact, both vehicles flipped on their roof.
Following the accident, the 22-year-old motorist who drove into the disabled car was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Seattle Police Department divers proceeded to look for the missing driver. His body was eventually found in the water below the bridge.
No other injuries were reported.
Driving Under The Influence: Deadly And Illegal
In Washington state, driving under the influence is considered a gross misdemeanor by law. A driver found guilty of a DUI is subject to significant penalties as a result such as time in jail, fines, and license suspension.
In 2019, officials registered 172 alcohol-impaired fatalities, which made up 33% of total traffic fatalities in the state. In addition, 27,638 people were arrested for driving under the influence that same year. If you’re a driver, never drink and drive.
There are many ways to avoid drinking and driving.
If you’re planning on heading out for drinks with friends, plan ahead by choosing a designated driver. If that’s not a possibility, you can call a taxi or use a ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft for a drive home.
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