Bodycam video shows trooper's intentional crash to stop wrong-way driver on I-90
By: Issaquah, WA - Video from the Washington State Patrol shows a trooper risking his life to stop a wrong-way driver on Interstate 90.
The incident, which occurred between Bellevue and Issaquah, ended in a head-on collision that could have turned deadly.
The Washington State Patrol reported that the wrong-way driver was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes, posing a significant threat to other motorists. Video footage from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) captured the moment when the trooper positioned his cruiser in front of the oncoming vehicle to prevent a potential tragedy.
Body camera footage from the trooper reveals the tense moments leading up to the crash.
"He's gonna hit me," the trooper is heard saying, followed by the sound of the impact. Despite the severity of the crash, the trooper was not seriously injured.
The wrong-way driver is suspected of being impaired and is expected to face charges for driving under the influence.
Trooper Rick Johnson of the Washington State Patrol offered advice for drivers encountering wrong-way vehicles.
"What I tell people is, especially at nighttime hours, use the right lane because if they are a wrong-way driver, they are trying to be undetected due to possible impairment. They are going to be in the left lane because they think that is the slow lane," Johnson said.
According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, wrong-way crashes account for 8% of total traffic deaths in the state.
After the crash, the trooper exited his vehicle to check on the driver who could have potentially killed him.
"Are you ok? Sit down! Head down! Do not move!" the trooper instructed the driver.
The trooper has since returned home and is expected to make a full recovery.