At about 12:45 a.m. March 15, 2013, an Issaquah police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic infraction in the 1400 block of Northwest Sammamish Road.
The driver failed to stop, turned his headlights off and sped eastbound at a high rate of speed.
The officer terminated the traffic stop and did not pursue the vehicle. Upon checking the surrounding area, the officer found the vehicle had struck three parked cars in the 4700 block of West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast, and the driver’s vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.
The driver was able to exit the vehicle through the driver’s side window, and then collapsed. Two Issaquah police officers then pulled him away from the burning vehicle.
Eastside Fire and Rescue units responded and extinguished the fire.
The driver, a 24-year-old Issaquah man, was taken to Overlake Hospital and treated. He was listed in satisfactory condition.
The Washington State Patrol and Bellevue Police Department provided assistance in this incident.
This incident is still under investigation. Questions can be directed to the on-duty supervisor at the Issaquah Police Department at 425-837-3200.