Car Rolls 7x Following High-Speed NYE Street Race

An alleged high-speed race between two cars on southbound I-405 in Renton resulted in a serious rollover accident on the off ramp to south SR 167 on New Year’s Eve.

One of the two cars involved struck a third vehicle — which was not part of the road-racing — on the off ramp. The impact caused the victim’s car to leave the roadway and roll seven times, according to witnesses.

One of the racing cars remained at the scene, while the second suspect vehicle fled, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Julie Judson.

Renton Fire and Emergency Services responded to the scene shortly after 6:30 p.m. and assessed five patients. It’s unknown how many people were in each car, Judson said, except that the driver of the victim vehicle was seriously injured and transported to Harborview Medical Center. Three of the five people in the car that rolled over were injured, one seriously. Two of the three injured were transported to Harborview Medical Center. The other three were released from the scene. 

It’s unknown if drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash, and no charges have been filed; however, there could be cause for a felony vehicular assault hit-and-run charge depending on the outcome of the injuries, Judson said.

Patch will post more information as it becomes available.