A devastating crash on Interstate 90 Thursday afternoon resulted in the death of a 66-year-old Bellevue man and the arrest of 42-year-old Randy Gould of Sammamish, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
The incident led to the complete closure of all westbound lanes of I-90 at State Route 18 for several hours, causing significant traffic backups and a wave of concern throughout the region.
The collision occurred around 12:20 p.m. when Gould, driving a Toyota Sequoia, reportedly struck a man who was outside his vehicle on the side of the highway. WSP Trooper Rick Johnson said the victim appeared to be attempting to fix a flat tire on his red sedan when the crash occurred.
Troopers noted that the vehicle was partially off the road, with some of it resting on the dirt shoulder, suggesting the victim had gone to great lengths to remain safe while working on his car.
“Some of the vehicle was actually on the dirt part of the shoulder, so that was way off the road,” said Johnson. “We’re trying to establish where that individual was when they were struck.”
Despite this effort, the driver of the Toyota Sequoia did not stop. Instead, Gould continued driving westbound with significant front-end damage to his vehicle, eventually coming to a stop near the Preston exit.
The condition of his vehicle appeared to deteriorate quickly following the impact, leading authorities to believe the collision may have caused his SUV to become disabled.
What followed added even more shock to an already tragic situation. According to WSP, after his vehicle became inoperable, Gould attempted to carjack a passing pickup truck.
When the attempt failed, he then tried to climb into the truck’s bed. Troopers quickly responded to the scene, and WSP Lieutenant who confronted Gould found himself in a physical struggle with the suspect.
“It was an altercation. We had 911 callers, and actually a good Samaritan stopped to help the lieutenant,” said Trooper Johnson. “They ended up in the blackberry bushes on the side of the off-ramp. Then other troopers got involved, and they were able to place that individual into custody.”
Thankfully, no one else was injured during this chaotic encounter. The quick action of the responding troopers and the assistance of a courageous bystander helped bring the situation under control before it escalated further.
Investigators now believe impairment may have been a factor in the crash. Gould is facing a host of serious charges, including DUI, Hit and Run, Assault, and Vehicular Homicide. Detectives are currently working to piece together all aspects of the incident and determine the exact timeline of events.
The westbound lanes of I-90 remained closed for several hours as WSP conducted their investigation and emergency crews worked to clear the scene. The highway reopened around 4:00 p.m., but not before traffic was severely disrupted along the corridor, with many drivers diverted onto State Route 18.
The identity of the 66-year-old victim has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. The Washington State Patrol extended their condolences to the man’s family and urged all drivers to remain vigilant and cautious, especially when others are on the side of the road.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can be changed by reckless driving. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a life cut short and hopes justice will be served.