Main events of the chase
Escape like in a movie
Most people are not criminals, but that doesn’t stop them from at least thinking about how they could escape a police chase. One way we often see on TV or in movies is daring maneuvers, rally-style drifting, or even jumping over a bridge. It was the latter method that was used by a person, whom the police have not yet been able to find, while driving a stolen car in Seattle.
Beginning of the pursuit
Initially, officers attempted to stop the Audi around 12:20 PM when they noticed a stolen license plate on the car near 10th Avenue E and East Boston Street. The driver refused to stop and instead decided to flee the scene. Law enforcement lost sight of the vehicle but quickly found it again.
Dashcam footage
Seattle police released new dashcam footage showing the end of the chase on September 17. The recording shows both the jump and the moments leading up to it. The driver passed a significant amount of traffic mostly at low and medium speeds and eventually ended up at the University Bridge. Approaching it, the driver saw that the protective bars were lowered and the bridge was raised and not fully connected.
Video from both sides of the bridge captured the moment when the person behind the wheel of the Audi SUV broke through the protective fence and plunged across the gap. The car was momentarily airborne, bounced off the far edge of the bridge, and continued north.
Finding the car
The car was later found abandoned near Pasadena Place East in the University District with significant damage, including a large hole in the windshield. Despite an extensive search, the driver was nowhere to be seen.
Disappearance of the suspect
Police did not report if anyone else was in the vehicle during this stunt. This is not the first time a drawbridge has made the news due to such an incredibly dangerous maneuver. Seattle police hope that anyone with information about the suspect will contact them.
Such incidents again raise questions about infrastructure safety and protocols for action when bridges are raised. While the stunt looks spectacular in movies, in real life it creates a serious threat both for the driver and for other road users, as well as causes significant material damage. The driver’s successful escape may also inspire imitation, so it is important for the police to find the criminal as soon as possible.