Officers arrested a suspected hit and run DUI driver after he crashed into a building and left the scene in North Seattle this afternoon.
At approximately 1:06 p.m. officers responded to 911 reports of a car that crashed into the TJ Max building in the 11000 block of Roosevelt Way NE. Witnesses also reported to 911 that the man and woman who occupied the suspect vehicle had left the scene on foot after the collision.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the 25-year-old male suspect was driving his 1973 Plymouth Scamp westbound on NE 112th Street (the only other occupant of the car was an adult female riding in the front passenger-side seat). As the suspect turned south onto southbound Roosevelt Way NE he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the rear of the TJ Max building. Both the suspect and his passenger then left the scene on foot and were gone upon the officers’ arrival.
While officers were on scene investigating the suspect and his girlfriend returned to the scene. Officers arrested the suspect and transported him to the North Precinct where he was investigated and processed for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI).
The suspect was subsequently booked into the King County Jail for DUI and Hit & Run, Property Damage.
While the damage to the TJ Max building did not appear to be significant, the suspect’s car sustained heavy damage and needed to be towed from the scene. Neither the suspect nor his passenger sustained any injuries as a result of the collision. Officers interviewed and released the female passenger from the scene.