On Wednesday morning, police arrested a man in crisis in Georgetown after he crashed a car into a business, causing a large fire, and then ran in and out of traffic, cutting himself with a knife.
Multiple 911 callers reported a driver crashing into a building in the 700 block of South Michigan Street at 6:37 a.m. While officers were on their way, witnesses reported that the car’s driver and sole occupant had exited and was now running in and out of traffic while cutting himself with a knife.
Officers arrived and attempted to contact the man, but he refused to stop and continued running down South Michigan Street. Police pursued him briefly before apprehending the 49-year-old man in the 500 block of South Michigan Street.
Meanwhile, the wrecked car inside the building caught fire, igniting the entire structure. Fortunately, the store was closed at the time. The fire was extinguished by Seattle Fire Department firefighters, who estimated the damage at $185,000.
SFD medics took the man to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of his self-inflicted lacerations and any other injuries sustained in the collision.
When police discovered that the suspect may have been under the influence of drugs, they investigated him for DUI. He was also charged for property damage, obstruction, and hit and run.
Officers will book the suspect into King County Jail after medical personnel discharge him from the hospital.