A chaotic scene unfolded just after 1:30 a.m. Saturday on eastbound I-90 near Mercer Island, when a car with one of its tires engulfed in flames collided with a Washington State Patrol (WSP) cruiser.
According to footage released by the Washington State Department of Transportation, the vehicle was seen grinding along the highway barrier, trailing fire from its rear tire and leaving scorched marks across the roadway. The disturbing video shows flames visibly licking the pavement as the driver continues forward.
A WSP trooper attempted to intercept and stop the vehicle by positioning their patrol car in front of it, but moments later, the burning car rear-ended the cruiser, escalating an already dangerous situation.
Troopers on the scene immediately tried to get the driver out of the car as it continued to burn. However, when those efforts failed, fire crews were called in to assist with both the flames and the rescue.
Investigators are still working to determine how the car ended up in that condition, pinned against the barrier with a tire ablaze, and whether mechanical failure, driver impairment, or another factor played a role. The driver’s current condition has not been publicly disclosed as of Saturday morning.
This incident, which briefly shut down lanes on I-90 eastbound near Mercer Island, serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers state troopers and first responders face in the early hours of the morning.
More updates will follow as authorities continue their investigation.
