Crime & Safety
Kirkland Man Dies During DUI Traffic Stop
The 31-year-old man jumped into Lake Washington while handcuffed, according to police.
SEATTLE, WA - A Kirkland man died early Friday morning after he jumped into Lake Washington during a traffic stop in the eastbound lanes of SR 520 along the floating bridge. Washington State Patrol troopers had put the man in handcuffs before he broke free and jumped into the lake.
The incident began around 1:30 a.m. on the Seattle side on the bridge. Police pulled the man over and put him under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. A trooper put him in handcuffs, according to police, because he was being combative.
WSP did not explain how, but the man was able to break from custody and jump over the side of the bridge. He was found around 2:30 a.m. after being missing for more than 40 minutes. He was pronounced dead at Harborview Medical Center at 3:30 a.m.
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Seattle police are handling an investigation into the incident. The investigation caused major traffic backups Friday morning heading eastbound.
Update on the scene on 520. WSP placed a subject in custody for suspicion of DUI. The subject did jump in to the water. Multiple agencies are on scene in an effort to locate the subject.
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) August 17, 2018
Image via Shutterstock
Find out what's happening in Kirklandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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