Skip to content Skip to footer

Suspect Arrested For Throwing Rocks At Vehicles SB I-5 At S. 272nd

WSP Media Release Cover

July 5, 2021

King County: At approximately 12:25 am on July 5, 2021 Washington State Patrol (WSP) communications received a 9-1-1 call stating that a pedestrian SB I-5 near S. 272nd had thrown a rock at their vehicle damaging the windshield.

As the responding trooper was approaching the area to make contact with the victim he observed a pedestrian walking southbound on the other side of the concrete barrier.  The trooper parked his patrol vehicle in the gore point at S. 272nd where a total of two victims had pulled over and were awaiting contact.  The trooper advised communications that he would be on foot in an attempt to locate the pedestrian.  He walked northbound on the other side of the barrier and observed a subject lying in the tall grass.  The trooper observed chunks of concrete in the area that appeared to have been recently broken off of the barrier.

Once another trooper arrived the subject was detained for investigation of throwing debris.  As the subject was being placed in the back of the patrol vehicle one of the victims approached and told the troopers that the subject was the person that threw a piece of concrete at his vehicle.

All involved in the investigation were moved off the freeway to a parking lot in order to take photographs and obtain statements from the victims.  During this time two additional victims contacted the scene with damage to their vehicles.

The four victim drivers all stated that they were traveling SB I-5 in lane one approaching S. 272nd when their vehicles were struck by what appeared to be chunks of concrete.  One of the drivers received minor injuries when the concrete pierced his windshield and struck him on the shoulder.  The shattered glass also left minor cuts on his arm and face.

These intentional criminal acts by this suspect put the victims and their passengers in grave danger of serious injury or worse.

The suspect, 35 year old Edgar Rios from Seattle, was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of Assault 2nd and Malicious Mischief 2nd.

At this point in the investigation the WSP has no information to tie this arrest to the incidents that have been occurring in the downtown Seattle corridor.  The WSP along with the Seattle Police Department and the Department of Transportation are continuing with the plan in place to address the incidents through the downtown area. Continue to call 9-1-1 to report any pedestrians on the freeways no matter what location and provide as many details as possible.

###

Contact us

Mailing Address
Washington State Patrol
PO Box 42600
Olympia, WA 98504

Physical Address
Washington State Patrol
Helen Sommers Building
106 11th Avenue SW
Olympia, WA 98501

Wsp accessibility

The Washington State Patrol is firmly committed to providing an environment that provides the public fair and equal treatment and equal access to its benefits, programs and services as required by state and federal laws. If you require reasonable accommodation under the American with Disabilities Act, or would like to file a grievance please click on the following link:  WSP Public Accessibility and Grievance Process

Follow us

© 2025 Washington State Patrol.