The Washington State Patrol is investigating an incident after a video surfaced showing a vehicle speeding along a protected bike and pedestrian trail adjacent to I-90 in Seattle.
The video, captured around 1 p.m. on Thursday, shows a white car traveling on the path, which is designated exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians and is normally inaccessible to vehicles. The I-90 trail is approximately 10 miles long and connects Seattle with Bellevue.
Witnesses reported the car was traveling at speeds of about 70 mph. "I had no idea how the car even got on there, and I was pretty spooked because I run it often," Alexa King, a runner who uses the trail, told KOMO News.
Multiple reports of the incident were made to the state patrol, but the vehicle had left the area by the time authorities arrived. The car was reportedly not displaying a license plate, complicating identification efforts.
"There are a lot of people with dash cameras, or maybe someone saw this vehicle exiting the bike path area and didn’t think anything of it," Trooper Rick Johnson told KOMO News. Investigators are appealing to the public for any information or dash camera footage that could help identify the driver.
No injuries or collisions involving the vehicle were reported. Those who frequent the trail expressed shock and concern over the video.
"I’ve taken kids across it; we’ve run across it, and then we’ve biked across it a lot too," Darrell Lee told KOMO. "If it was a busy day, somebody would’ve gotten hurt."
Authorities are attempting to determine how the vehicle gained access to the trail, with Trooper Johnson suggesting it likely occurred on Mercer Island. The Washington State Department of Transportation has been notified and is reviewing the trail's access points and barriers.
"I’ve never seen this before," Johnson stated. "Even if you’re not from the area, I think it should be pretty, pretty evident that [the trail] is not a place for vehicles."
If identified, the driver is expected to face charges for reckless driving. The Washington State Patrol has provided a non-emergency phone number, (425) 401-7788, for anyone with relevant information.