November 1, 2023
King County: Just after midnight on October 30, 2023 Washington State Patrol (WSP) communications received a 9-1-1 call reporting a vehicle traveling the wrong way WB I-90 in the EB lanes in the area of I-405.
A WSP trooper was traveling EB I-90 approaching East Mercer when they observed the vehicle heading toward them traveling the wrong way. Shortly thereafter the vehicle was involved in a head on collision in the lanes EB I-90 near Island Crest.
The trooper looped back around and contacted the scene to find flames visible from one of the vehicles at which time she retrieved her fire extinguisher and put out the flames. Additional troopers arrived and used fire extinguishers to insure the fire did not reignite. Troopers checked on the condition of the two occupants of the victim vehicle and the driver of the wrong way vehicle and were not able to get vital signs. The fire department arrived and were sadly unable to save the three lives.
Through talking to witnesses it was determined that the wrong way vehicle most likely entered the EB lanes traveling WB from the 142nd St HOV off ramp in Bellevue prior to being observed by the trooper and causing the fatal head on collision.
The driver of the vehicle traveling the wrong way was Ari N. Quiroz-Jimenez, 30 years old from Seattle. He was driving a silver 2012 Chrysler 300. The driver of the other vehicle was Austin C. Tsai, 22 years old from Bellevue. He was driving a 2018 Subaru WRX. The passenger in the Subaru was Bugeon Kim, 23 years old from Berkeley, California.
The link below shows the trooper encountering the wrong way vehicle and subsequently arriving at the horrific scene.
https://youtu.be/V6rfLWuP-g4
This is a very sad loss of life that COULD have been prevented. Possible impairment is still being investigated at this time and this horrific collision is a stark reminder to make good choices. DRIVE SOBER!
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