Drug Use Suspected In Seattle Crash That Killed 2 Pedestrians

SEATTLE, WA — A 23-year-old woman arrested after a crash that killed two pedestrians and injured two others Friday may have been driving while high on methamphetamine, according to court documents. Witnesses told police a speeding Nissan Sentra hit a curb, struck signs, poles, and pedestrians then rolled onto Aurora Avenue North. Investigators said the woman inside the car ran away from the crash and was arrested after officers found her walking nearby, carrying a bush.

When officers made contact with the suspect, they said she was uncooperative, laughing, and "speaking nonsensically." According to probable cause documents filed over the weekend, the woman told police she crashed the car on purpose while her eyes were closed. Investigators noted her eyelids were droopy and her speech was slow. The woman refused field sobriety tests, but police obtained a warrant for a blood draw.

A woman in her 20s died at the scene. Another man was critically injured and later died. Two other men were expected to survive.

The King County Prosecutor's Office said the woman refused to leave her cell for a hearing Saturday, but probable cause was found on two counts of vehicular homicide, felony hit-and-run, and vehicular assault. A judge set bail at $500,000 at a hearing Monday afternoon. Prosecutors have until Wednesday, Dec. 4, to formally file charges.