Car slams into Bellevue urgent care building, ruptures gas line

BELLEVUE, Wash. — An SUV crashed into a clinic and ruptured a gas line in Bellevue early Tuesday morning.

About 100 people living in nearby apartments at the Lake Hills Village were forced to evacuate for around an hour before it was safe to return.

“I was lying in bed, it was around 1:30 a.m. and I hear a loud thud and the whole building shook,” said Shelley Martinson. “I was on the phone with 911 and I was shaking -- it was really scary, you could smell a lot of gas, a very strong smell.”

Police say the car crashed into the Overlake Urgent Care Clinic off 156th Avenue Southeast and hit a gas line. Puget Sound Energy crews were called to the scene.

Just before the crash, officers attempted to stop the SUV, but they took off speeding. Within minutes they received calls about the crash.

“The fire department came within two or three minutes of us hearing the crash,” said Joshua Miller.

Investigators say they’ve obtained surveillance video that shows three people running away.

“My brother said his girlfriend saw the people running away from the scene,” said Miller.

Police are looking into whether the car is stolen, and say they’ve found evidence that may help them track down the suspects.

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