Updated with additional details on those injured and deceased, including another revised number of those injured, from the Washington State Patrol.
Two people died and three were injured after a car being pursued by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office drove off the Edmonds-Kingston ferry dock late Tuesday night.
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe said that a sheriff’s office deputy observed the vehicle — a Mini Cooper — driving recklessly in the 12100 block of southbound Interstate 5 just before 11:15 p.m. Tuesday. “The vehicle was driving at speeds over 100 mph and weaving in and out of traffic,” O’Keefe said.
The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the vehicle’s driver “continued driving recklessly at approximately 120 mph,” O’Keefe said, adding that the deputy initiated a vehicle pursuit for reckless driving. The driver took the 196th Street Southwest exit off I-5 and the pursuit continued to Mountlake Terrace and then Edmonds, O’Keefe said.
After the deputy lost sight of the vehicle, he continued searching the area to relocate it. At the Edmonds ferry terminal, the deputy “observed the crossing arms at the ferry terminal were destroyed and he heard people yelling from in the water,” O’Keefe said. Three of the car’s occupants were rescued from the water and taken to Harborview Medical Center. The sheriff’s office dive team responded to search for additional occupants and they recovered two decedents, O’Keefe added. The Mini Cooper was also towed from the water, she said.
The sheriff’s office has requested that the Washington State Patrol investigate the incident, O’Keefe said.
The state patrol said in an incident report that the vehicle drove through the barrier on the ferry loading ramp and “came to rest on its top in Puget Sound.” The report identified the three who were rescued as the vehicle’s driver, a 29-year-old man from Tulalip; a female passenger, ages 30, from Auburn; and a male passenger, 38, from Federal Way. The deceased victims, identified by the state patrol as passengers, were a 48-year-old woman from Auburn and a 45-year-old woman from Lakewood.
Drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, the patrol said.
Washington State Ferries issued an alert early Wednesday morning that Edmonds-Kingston ferry service was suspended “due to law enforcement activity” but announced at 5 a.m. that service had resumed
The article has an inconsistency. It says 3 people were rescued, and two died. Then it lists four who were rescued, with ages and names, and then says the names of the deceased have not been released. (Feel free to delete my comment after you update!)
Hi Brian — the original report from the Sheriff’s office said there were three survivors and two dead. The report from Washington State Patrol that came out later listed four survivors. We updated the story (and the headline) to reflect that after adding that info.
Wow, 6 people in a Mini-Cooper. It’s a miracle they got as far as they did.
Six people in a Mini Cooper, going approximately 120 mph evading the police, driving off the end of the ferry dock. What could possibly go wrong? Rip.
And to make matters even more confusing, the state patrol send out an updated report that changed the number of those injured back to three people and the number of deceased to two. So the total stands at five. The story has been revised to note that.
The passengers who passed away are an incredible loss. I’m so sad for their loved ones
Between I-5 exit at 196th and the Edmonds Ferry there should have been opportunity for the Lynnwood Police to intervene to help prevent the tragic outcome. Unfortunately LPD does not consider speeding a priority – even very excessive speeds.
The written story is not clear, but t appears that the responding deputy made a public safety decision to NOT continue a high speed chase at some point as the perp vehicle careened towards a mostly residential area at speeds 3 – 4 times the posted speed limit. There is a very true saying, that one can not out run a Motorola. That and the after-the fact report that the driver had 17 prior arrests meant that they were most likely well known by local LEO. Sad end for those who died as a result of their poor decision making skills.
Thank Goodness there weren’t any innocent people injured or killed. Going 120 mph is beyond reckless and irresponsible. It will be interesting to find out why they were running. They were all old enough to know better.
The driver controls the car, fate of the passengers. King 5 reports the driver had 17 prior arrests.
It’s tragic ending.
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/video-police-rescuing-victims-car-plunges-edmonds-dock/281-70235df8-6ddc-499d-a8e8-41911c5fca6f
I am very sorry for the two women who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy and the families grieving for their deceased loved ones.
Agreed, Jenna. Tragic victims.