A pedestrian standing on the shoulder of Interstate 705 in Tacoma threw a brick at a passing vehicle late Friday night, striking and injuring a passenger who required hospitalization, prompting assault and malicious mischief charges against the 38-year-old suspect.
Just after 10 p.m. on 22 November, Washington State Patrol reported the driver was traveling southbound on I-705 just north of State Route 509 in Tacoma when a male pedestrian standing on the roadway shoulder launched the brick at the vehicle as it passed his position, an apparently unprovoked attack on complete strangers.
The 38-year-old pedestrian was standing in the right shoulder of I-705 when the incident occurred, according to Washington State Patrol. The brick struck the vehicle with sufficient force to injure the passenger, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries whose severity has not been publicly disclosed.
The right lane of the roadway was blocked for approximately one hour whilst law enforcement investigated the scene, collected evidence including the brick used as a weapon, and took the suspect into custody.
The suspect now faces two counts of assault reflecting the two occupants of the vehicle who were endangered by his actions, in addition to a malicious mischief charge for the property damage caused to the vehicle. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the suspect’s motivation for throwing the brick at a random passing vehicle, remain under investigation, according to Washington State Patrol.
The incident represents a disturbing example of objects being thrown at vehicles from overpasses, roadway shoulders, or adjacent properties, attacks that have resulted in serious injuries and deaths nationwide when projectiles strike windshields or enter vehicles through open windows. Such incidents create extreme danger because drivers traveling at highway speeds have no warning and no ability to take evasive action before impact occurs.
Washington State Patrol has not released the identities of the victim who was injured, the driver who was operating the vehicle, or the suspect who has been arrested and charged. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine whether the suspect has any history of similar behaviour, whether substance abuse or mental health issues contributed to the attack, and whether any additional charges are warranted based on the severity of the victim’s injuries.
The closure of the right lane for an hour during the investigation caused traffic disruptions on I-705, a major arterial route in Tacoma that connects Interstate 5 with the Port of Tacoma and industrial areas, though the late evening timing likely limited the impact on commuter traffic compared to an incident during peak travel hours.
