Seattle Police officers arrested two fellow off-duty officers for a hit and run collision early Monday.
Just after midnight, Seattle Police responded to a report of a collision near the intersection of 1st and Lander.
A witness called police after they saw a woman driving a Nissan Altima with front-end damage. The woman stopped the car in the middle of the street and switched places with a man in the passenger seat.
After switching seats, the pair drove off.
Officers conducted an area check and located the car just a few blocks away, at 1st and Brandon. The car was two to three feet away from the curb and the engine was running. Officers described the car as “in the roadway”.
Upon contacting the pair in the car, officers recognized the occupants as off-duty Seattle Police officers. It was apparent both off-duty officers had been drinking.
The officers notified their chain of command and the duty captain responded to the scene. Seattle Police officers assigned to “Target Zero” holiday emphasis patrol responded and arrested both off-duty officers.
Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives were called to the scene to process the collision site and search for evidence. Although it was initially reported that the off-duty officers struck a light pole, further investigation was not immediately conclusive. Detectives continue to investigate.
The female off-duty officer was processed for DUI. The male off-duty officer was processed for DUI-Physical Control. Per ordinary procedure, both were released.
The Altima, however, was impounded for further investigation. The car is not a city owned vehicle.
SPD has initiated the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) complaint process and both officers have been administratively reassigned to home. The case will be forwarded to the City Attorney’s Office. Investigators are asking the City Attorney’s Office to consider charges of DUI and Hit and Run for the female off-duty officer and DUI-Physical Control and Hit and Run for the male off-duty officer.
The narrative reports for the incident are available here.