Crash hurts 5 people in Bothell; police suspect DUI

At least five people were hurt in two separate crashes just minutes apart in Bothell on Saturday night shutting down a busy highway.

Officers are investigating whether one of the drivers was driving under the influence. They said they’ve seen an increase in DUI crashes over this last week.

In one crash, a female driver on SR-527 ran into the car in front of her and flipped, pushing that vehicle into a third car.

Her car was so severely damaged, firefighters had to extract her with the Jaws of Life, cutting off the roof of the vehicle, and a tow truck struggled to tow the car away.

Five people were rushed to the hospital in that crash – the female driver, and four others in one of the other vehicles.

Incredibly, no one died.

“It looks like seat belts did their job,” said Darren Timpe, Traffic Unit Sergeant with Bothell PD.

The extent of their injuries is not clear at this point.

There was also another crash involving two cars a few hundred yards away. No one was seriously hurt in that crash.

“Within minutes of each other,” Timpe said.

The two crashes kept Bothell Police busy Saturday night. Witnesses had pulled over, leading officers to initially believe a dozen cars were involved. Officers later clarified the total number was five.

Officers are investigating whether the driver of the most seriously damaged car was driving under the influence.

“During the holidays you always see a little more alcohol on the streets. We’ve definitely seen an increase in drug-related impairment,” Timpe said.

He said recently for every alcohol DUI, officers see four that are drug-related.

“Marijuana, prescription drugs, narcotics, you name it. So we’ve seen all of those probably just this last week,” Timpe said.

An uptick in DUI arrests is something the Washington State Patrol is also dealing with.

In King County last year, troopers made 1,999 DUI arrests through November.

This year, that number has risen to 2,565 arrests, or 22 percent.

WSP will have more patrols looking for DUI drivers on the streets - through the holidays.

Timpe said recently, more marijuana users do not take driving and using seriously. He reminds everyone that DUI while under the influence of pot is still a DUI.

Cox Media Group