Trooper saves woman having stroke while driving on I-405

Published 1:30 am Sunday, February 19, 2017

EVERETT — A Washington State Patrol trooper saw a woman on the highway driving erratically — she was having a stroke.

He stopped the out-of-control car by letting it crash into his, possibly saving the driver’s life.

Trooper Lance Ramsay was heading north on I-405 on Feb. 10. An Acura sport utility vehicle was weaving in and out of the lane. He tried to pull over the vehicle.

The lights and sirens prompted no response. The SUV pushed on.

Ramsay drove up next to the Acura to try to determine why the driver wasn’t stopping. He saw the driver slumped forward, trooper Heather Axtman said.

Both SUVs were approaching the interchange with Highway 527. If they didn’t stop, the woman’s car would likely have hit a guardrail and eventually spun into afternoon rush hour traffic, Axtman said. That could have caused a more serious wreck.

Ramsay pulled in front of the Acura and slowed down. The woman’s car crashed into his and eventually came to a stop.

Ramsay got out and broke the passenger side window to help her until paramedics arrived, Axtman said.

The woman was recovering at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Ramsay was treated for minor injuries.

He said he was doing his job. Most importantly, he said, the woman is safe and with her family.

Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.