Washington State Patrol (WSP) is asking the public to help identify the driver of a vehicle that entered the bike and walking trail on the Interstate 90 bridge over Lake Washington on the afternoon of Sept. 10. The incident, captured by a Sound Transit 2 Line rider and posted on Reddit, has been widely shared on social media.
What happened
According to WSP trooper Rick Johnson, the white compact vehicle had no license plate and traveled at freeway speed—or faster—while covering the entire path. The video shows a pedestrian walking in front of the car as it moves slowly, then the vehicle continues down the trail. No injuries were reported.
Investigation details
WSP received a call at 1:03 p.m. on Sept. 10 and dispatched troopers to the scene. Johnson, who also monitored Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) traffic cameras, confirmed the incident was real and not AI‑generated. He said the vehicle entered the trail near Aubrey Davis Park on the Mercer Island side and exited near the Mount Baker area of Seattle. The Seattle Police Department was alerted and assigned to the area, but the car has not been located.
Johnson noted that the trail is heavily used by walkers and cyclists, especially on sunny afternoons, and that the path is narrow near the bridge entrance, with signage stating “No Motorized Vehicles.” He added that there are no traffic bollards to prevent vehicle access.
Local response
The city of Mercer Island confirmed it is aware of the concern and is working with WSDOT to evaluate possible solutions, such as additional signage or vegetation maintenance. Mercer Island Police said they learned of the incident through social media and did not receive any 911 calls.
WSDOT communications manager RB McKeon emphasized safety as the agency’s top priority and said WSDOT and WSP have walked the site to assess conditions and identify potential mitigations. Both agencies will continue to coordinate with other partners to address jurisdictional issues and determine whether further measures are needed.
How you can help
WSP is asking anyone with additional information, video footage, or photos of the incident to contact the agency at wsp.wa.gov. Tips could prove critical in locating the driver and preventing future misuse of the trail.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
