BELLEVUE — The Washington State Patrol suspects a driver speeding more than 100 mph was under the influence of methamphetamine when he struck another car, killing the other driver in a fiery crash on I-405.
The man made statements to troopers at the scene that led them to suspect he was under the influence of meth or something similar, Trooper Chris Webb said. Investigators are waiting for the result of drug tests. They’ll also get a warrant to search the wreckage of his car.
Two other cars were involved in the crash about 10 p.m. Thursday and four people were injured, in addition to the fatality. The injuries appeared to be moderate, Webb said. All were taken to nearby Overlake Hospital Medical Center.
The suspect is a Woodinville man, 27, who remained in the hospital Friday morning. When released he’ll be jailed for investigation of vehicular homicide and possibly other charges, Webb said.
The driver who died in his burning car was a Federal Way man, 22. The medical examiner will determine whether he was killed by the crash or being trapped in the fire, Webb said.
The injured include a Woodinville woman, 25, who was a passenger in the suspect’s car and two people from Woodinville in another vehicle he hit.
The crash closed all southbound lanes of the freeway until 5 a.m. Friday. One of the reasons for the long closure was the wreckage covered about 2,000 feet — more than a third of a mile. It was one of the largest crash scenes Webb said he had seen in a 22-year career.
“It takes a long time to check all the debris, all the vehicles, mark the scene and gather evidence,” he said.
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