June 17, 2021
King County: At approximately 11:45pm on June 12, 2021 Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers responded to a multiple vehicle collision SB I-5 just south of the Spokane St on ramp. This collision was blocking all but the HOV lane with minor injuries involved.
This collision caused a lengthy backup and at approximately 1:18am on June 13, 2021 WSP communications received a 9-1-1 call about a three car collision that occurred in the backup SB I-5 near Columbian. At 1:19am, another 9-1-1 call was received advising that a pedestrian at the scene was struck by another vehicle.
Troopers arrived at 1:24am and performed lifesaving efforts until relieved by medics from the Seattle Fire Department. A short time later, medics confirmed that the pedestrian had died as a result of the collision. Through the investigation it was later determined that the pedestrian was an off duty officer from the Seattle Police Department (SPD), since identified as Alexandria “Lexi” Harris, age 38 and a 5 year veteran of SPD. Troopers were initially unable to positively identify Harris, who was mistakenly believed to have been associated with one of the vehicles involved based upon witness accounts. It wasn’t until several hours later troopers located a wallet within the scene and were able to assist the King County Medical Examiner in positively identifying Officer Harris. Subsequent investigation revealed that Officer Harris had just completed her shift, left the SPD’s West Precinct, and was heading home driving her personal vehicle. Officer Harris came across the three car collision that was blocking the HOV lane, positioned her car behind the scene, activated her 4-way flashers, and began rendering assistance at the scene, including requesting an aid car. Officer Harris was subsequently struck and killed as she was assisting at the scene. That driver remained at the scene, and that portion of the collision remains under active investigation.
It was later discovered that one of the drivers from the initial three car collision fled the scene in Officer Harris’ personal vehicle prior to troopers arriving. Officer Harris’ vehicle was found abandoned later that morning in the Georgetown area of Seattle; it is being held for evidence.
In the days following this incident numerous WSP detectives along with assistance from multiple other local and federal agencies, including members of the Seattle Police Department, actively searched for the suspect that stole Harris’ vehicle. The WSP is happy to announce that today at 21:22 hours the WSP and SPD’s SWAT Team arrested Roger Lee Owens Jr., a 49 year-old male from Seattle, at a hotel in the Eastgate area of Bellevue hotel for Felony Hit/Run, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possessing Stolen Property, Possessing a Stolen Firearm, and Identity Theft.
There were at least six (6) other arrests made over the course of the past several days as this investigation unfolded. These arrests were unrelated to theft of Officer Harris’ vehicle, and additional arrests are expected as this investigation continues. One of those six arrests was initially believed to have been the primary suspect of the investigation, but investigators quickly realized this individual, while a close associate of the suspect, was not involved in the theft. That arrest redirected the course of this investigation to the suspect that was arrested today.
Regretfully, that led to some information indicating the primary suspect in this investigation had been arrested, when in fact that was not the case. As well intentioned on everyone’s part the release may have been, and to the extent this information created confusion with our media partners; I sincerely apologize on behalf of the WSP ~ and particularly to the media outlet involved.
OFFICER ALEXANDRIA “LEXI” HARRIS
Hundreds, if not thousands, of motorists drove by this collision scene that was blocking a lane of a darkened freeway and in very heavy rain. Not one motorist even called 9-1-1 to report the collision or freeway blockage. Officer Lexi Harris, having just completed her shift with SPD minutes before, drove upon and stopped at this scene. Although Officer Harris wasn’t wearing the SPD uniform, she was no doubt continuing to carry out her public safety responsibilities ~ something she was under no obligation whatsoever to do ~ but did so for one simple reason: that’s who she was. Officer Harris’ last act on this earth was delivering respectful, professional, and dependable police services to the citizens of Seattle as she had for the previous 5 years. It’s with heavy hearts the WSP extends our thoughts and prayers to the family of Officer Harris, and the men and women of the Seattle Police Department.
WSP detectives continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the collision that claimed Officer Harris’ life and are still seeking additional witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information on the collision is asked to contact the Washington State Patrol at (425) 401-7742.
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