A woman was killed Tuesday afternoon when a man suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) while operating a forklift caused a multi-vehicle collision on Aurora Avenue North.
Seattle police said multiple people called 911 just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to report the crash on the 9600 block of Aurora Avenue North. All north and southbound lanes of Aurora Avenue North were closed for several hours while police investigated. The roadway reopened to traffic just before 8 p.m.
Police said the driver of the forklift reportedly entered Aurora Avenue from the west side of the street and continued east until he collided with an SUV heading southbound, which caused the SUV to collide with a landscape truck.
The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) took two occupants, a 25-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, of the SUV to Harborview Medical Center. The 25-year-old woman was in critical condition when they were taken to the hospital, but later died from her injuries. The 27-year-old man was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
The 30-year-old driver of the landscape truck was reported to be in stable condition, according to Seattle police. The 54-year-old man driving the forklift was arrested at the scene.
Jensen Hayes, who was riding his motorcycle nearby, said he heard the sound of the crash.
“It's shocking," said Hayes. "I can't put it into words, man. It’s just crazy to me.”
He worries what could have happened had been in the area earlier.
“What ifs, what ifs, cross my mind," Hayes continued. "I would not be back to my family or my daughter. That’s what cross my. I’m still here, after an hour and half, I’m still in shock.”
Officers suspected the operator of the forklift was under the influence of intoxicants, so they took him to the North Precinct to be evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert, according to police.
Police said Wednesday the man ended up goin to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and he is expected to be booked into the King County Jail Wednesday evening. The man could face charges of vehicular homicide.
Traffic Collision Investigation Squad Detectives will continue to investigate this incident.