MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Suspected explosive device shuts down Interstate 90 on Mercer Island

Oct 12, 2024, 1:43 PM | Updated: Oct 13, 2024, 11:42 am

The Washington State Patrol shut down both directions of I-90 Saturday after a suspected explosive ...

The Washington State Patrol shut down both directions of I-90 Saturday after a suspected explosive device was found in a suspect's car at Island Crest Way on Mercer Island. (Photo: Washington State Patrol)

(Photo: Washington State Patrol)

The Washington State Patrol shut down Interstate 90 on Mercer Island in both directions Saturday afternoon after police arrested a suspect who they say threatened them with an explosive device.

Bellevue police officers arrested two people.

The incident began when officers found the two men slumped over in a stolen black Mercedes at Enetai Beach Park Saturday morning with drug paraphernalia in the car.

Police laid down spike strips, flattening their tires, but they kept driving.

The slow-moving chase ended with a PIT maneuver on I-90 West on Mercer Island.

The driver and a passenger made a run for it.

At one point police say the driver turned around with a blow torch in one hand and a tennis ball-size explosive device in the other. They say he was trying to light it.

Officers tackled the driver.

The Bellevue Police Department released this photo of the explosive device a suspect allegedly tried to ignite on Interstate 90 on Saturday. (Photo: Bellevue Police Dept.)

The Bellevue Police Department released this photo of the explosive device a suspect allegedly tried to ignite on Interstate 90 on Saturday. (Photo: Bellevue Police Dept.)

One device rolled under the freeway, causing a total closure of both directions of I-90.

Police say the devices had explosive accelerants inside and they were very dangerous.

Bellevue officers requested assistance from the Washington State Patrol.

Explosives technicians from the Bellevue Police Department, Washington State Patrol, King County, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives all assisted in the incident.

They found two more explosive devices in the vehicle.

Traffic came to a standstill on I-90 after police found what appeared to be an explosive device in a car pulled over on Mercer Island. (Photo: WA Dept. of Transportation)

Traffic came to a standstill on I-90 after police say someone threatened officers with what appeared to be an explosive device from a car during a traffic stop on Mercer Island. (Photo: WA Dept. of Transportation)

Police arrested both men.  The driver is likely facing charges of possession of an explosive device, assault, driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle, and eluding law enforcement. Police also arrested the passenger due to previously existing felony warrants.

One officer was slightly hurt during the altercation.  He was treated and released at the scene.

Eastbound I-90 traffic stopped as police on Mercer Island deal with an explosive device found in a vehicle that was pulled over at Island Crest Way. (Photo: WA Dept. of Transportation)

Eastbound I-90 traffic stopped as police on Mercer Island deal with an explosive device thown from a vehicle near Island Crest Way. (Photo: WA Dept. of Transportation)

At 1:45 p.m., police reopened all eastbound lanes to traffic.  Approximately an hour later, at 2:50 p.m., two westbound lanes were allowed to reopen.
The closure worsened an already-difficult weekend for eastside drivers. The 520 bridge was also closed all day Saturday and Sunday, due to construction work.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Susie Wiles, then Donald Trump's co-campaign manager, is seen at Nashville International Air...

Associated Press

President-elect Donald Trump names Susie Wiles as chief of staff

President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles, the manager of his victorious campaign, as his White House chief of staff.

13 hours ago

Photo: Andy Jassy, Amazon president and CEO, attends the premiere of "The Lord of the Rings: The Ri...

Bill Kaczaraba

Why is Amazon CEO Andy Jassy cutting managers, streamlining processes?

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced earlier this week that the company plans to reduce the number of managers.

13 hours ago

Photo: The Washington Department of Health is urging people to get whooping cough vaccines as an ep...

Bill Kaczaraba

Washington hit with steep hike in whooping cough cases

Washington residents are being alerted to a big increase in whooping cough cases in the state, according to the Department of Health.

15 hours ago

bird flu...

Luke Duecy

New report of bird flu in WA, sixth case in state since October

There is a new report of bird flu in Snohomish County, bringing the state's total to six bird flu cases since October.

15 hours ago

capitol hill dinosaur...

Frank Sumrall

Capitol Hill dinosaur theft spree: SPD arrests costume-clad suspect

SPD was alerted of a reptile, specifically a species of dinosaur that was believed to be extinct, stealing packages throughout Capitol Hill.

16 hours ago

I-5 demonstrators protests...

Julia Dallas

Demonstrators with around 30 vehicles slowly move south along I-5

Demonstrators are slowly rolling along I-5 south Thursday afternoon. KIRO Newsradio spoke to a man involved in the demonstration.

17 hours ago

Suspected explosive device shuts down Interstate 90 on Mercer Island