North Seattle DUI arrest backed by Real Time Crime Center footage
Aug 21, 2025, 6:06 AM | Updated: 6:07 am
A photo of the high-risk stop issued by the Seattle Police Department for a suspected DUI. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Police Department)
(Photo courtesy of the Seattle Police Department)
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) arrested a man for driving under the influence in North Seattle using Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) video evidence to aid its investigation, SPD announced.
On August 3 at approximately 6:15 p.m., SPD found a car driving recklessly on Aurora Avenue North near North 109th Street.
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Seattle’s Real Time Crime Center helps with DUI investigation
SPD noted the driver was traveling faster than other motorists and passed many of the cars using the center lane. Officers who were attempting to catch up to the suspect noticed he was driving at an extremely high speed.
SPD caught up to the vehicle at North 130th Street, and the driver ran a red light in front of the officers. A high-risk stop was initiated by SPD, and the driver was detained.
Officers found a passenger and two beer cans inside the vehicle. A field sobriety test was performed on the driver, and signs of alcohol impairment were detected.
SPD placed the suspect under arrest and took the man to the North Precinct to administer a breath alcohol analysis. The driver’s alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.
“Swerving, running red lights, and extremely dangerous speeds coupled with his high level of intoxication placed him and [his passenger] at grave risk of being involved in a major collision,” the SPD report stated.
The DUI suspect was booked into the King County Jail for DUI, reckless driving, and reckless endangerment.
While SPD investigated the case, officers asked the RTCC to search for video evidence of the car’s movements on Aurora Avenue. The RTCC found several videos picturing the suspect running red lights and driving recklessly at various intersections.
SPD referred the charges to the City Attorney’s Office.
“The [RTCC] integrates various video and data streams for enhanced analysis and investigation of crime incidents,” SPD stated.
SPD launced the RTCC on May 20, located within the SPD headquarters, it has aided in investigating more than 600 reported incidents, and currently supporting 90 active criminal investigations.
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