Washington State Patrol stops wrong way driver on I-5 Saturday morning

Just prior to 4am on Saturday, August 13, 2016, a wrong way vehicle was reported on Interstate 5 in the area of 220th SW in Mountlake Terrace.

The vehicle was traveling southbound on I-5 - but in the northbound lanes.

Trooper Cliff Roberts paralleled the vehicle from the southbound lanes through Shoreline and north Seattle but was unable to get the driver to stop or even realize they were traveling the wrong way. The vehicle continued to Northgate and entered the express lanes.

Trooper Yarbrough accessed the express lanes and was able to successfully deploy spike strips near Mercer Street. The spike strips did their job and stopped the vehicle.

Trooper Roberts pulled in behind the vehicle and ultimately arrested the female driver for DUI. Trooper Mallory Reynolds processed the driver for DUI and subsequently booked her into the King County Jail.

This is a great example of teamwork by the Seattle North Detachments and the WSP Target Zero team. The three troopers mentioned along with others that were in the area put their lives at risk to prevent this wrong way vehicle from causing harm to other drivers. 

All of the troopers involved used their training, experience and decisive decision making to safely stop this vehicle.

The Washington State Patrol reminds drivers to maintain awareness and always have an escape route in mind if faced with a wrong way vehicle.