CHOKEPOINTS

Driver busted with Halloween-themed fake passenger to use HOV lane

Oct 30, 2025, 6:57 AM

HOV fake passenger halloween...

A photo of the fake passenger a driver attempted to use to drive in the HOV lane of I-5. (Photo courtesy of WSP)

(Photo courtesy of WSP)

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) caught another driver using a fake passenger in order to ride in the HOV lane.

This fake passenger fit the Halloween theme, with WSP Trooper Rick Johnson calling it a “scary HOV violation.”

Johnson is reminding the public that items do not count as humans. The driver was pulled over on northbound I-5 near the I-90 interchange.

Back in June, a woman had a similar plan, dressing up a fake skeleton in the back seat with a black t-shirt and a paper crown.

Her excuse? That she “accidentally left her Halloween decoration up,” Johnson wrote on X.

Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.

Chokepoints

Flying for the holidays? SEA airport ranks No. 3 for fewer travel disruptions...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Flying for the holidays? SEA Airport ranks No. 3 for fewer travel disruptions

If you're worried about flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) airport for the holidays, a new consumer report may ease your mind. SEA ranks third among the best airports for avoiding travel disruptions, according to a ConsumerAffairs report. By utilizing U.S. Department of Transportation data from 2024 and 2025, the study ranks small, medium, and large airports, with Seattle in the large category. 

2 hours ago

New partial joint installed on Tacoma Narrows Bridge...

Lexi Herda, KIRO 7 News

New partial joint installed on Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Some good news for drivers who regularly use the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Washington State Department of Transportation says the new partial joint has been installed on the aging structure.

4 hours ago

US 2 Crash Monroe...

MyNorthwest Staff

US 2 reopens after multi-vehicle collision shuts down all lanes for nearly six hours

An early morning headache for drivers near Monroe. WSDOT says all lanes of US 2 are blocked in both directions near Monroe after a collision involving multiple vehicles.

14 hours ago

fish passage project...

Chris Sullivan

Massive fish passage project under I-90 in Factoria nearing its end

Eastbound I-90 drivers are close to getting their HOV lane back in Factoria. The fish passage project under the freeway is in its final months.

15 hours ago

3 - Tacoma Narrows Bridge...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Expect long PM commutes until further notice on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Drivers who use the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (SR 16) to Gig Harbor should expect longer nighttime commutes due to construction work.

1 day ago

Amtrak...

Chris Sullivan

Amtrak opens new Seattle maintenance facility ahead of 2027 schedule

Amtrak has cut the ribbon on its new 100,000-square-foot maintenance facility in SODO, opening a building originally scheduled to debut in 2027.

4 days ago

Driver busted with Halloween-themed fake passenger to use HOV lane