On November 8th at approximately 2:38 a.m. officers responded to a one-vehicle collision in the 3900 block of MLK Jr. Way South. Preliminary investigation indicates that an adult male suspect was driving a Ford Explorer northbound on MLK at a high rate of speed. In the 3900 block the suspect lost control of the vehicle and collided into a metal bus shelter on the sidewalk. The suspect continued on, traveling back onto the street where he spun around and came to rest blocking the northbound lanes of travel.
SFD medics responded to the scene and had to extricate the driver from the vehicle. He was subsequently transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. The only other occupant of the vehicle, an adult female who was riding in the front passenger seat, sustained only bumps and scratches. She was transported to an area hospital by ambulance for further evaluation of her non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers are investigating the suspect for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. That investigation is on-going at this time.
Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives are enroute to the scene and will be handling the active and on-going investigation.
Northbound MLK Jr. Way South has been completely shut down while the incident is investigated and the scene processed. The shutdown is expected to last until at least 6:00 a.m.
The northbound Light Rail has also been shut down in the area due to debris from the collision being on the tracks. For more information on the Light Rail closure and re-open times, please call Sound Transit.