Driver shut her eyes and plowed into four people on purpose, Seattle police say

A 23-year-old woman accused of crashing into four pedestrians, killing two, on Friday told Seattle police that she closed her eyes before ramming the people, KCPQ reports.

The crash took place about 1 p.m. near the Aurora Bridge where the driver took a turn too fast, hit four people on a sidewalk and crashed into a pole, then tried to run away, The Seattle Times reported.

One person died at the scene and a second died at a Seattle hospital, KIRO reported.

A passenger on a nearby bus jumped off to chase the driver, helping police find and arrest her, The Seattle Times reported.

Lamini Amara said he had to do something after witnessing the crash, KOMO reported.

“When I saw the lady crawling out of the car that hit those people trying to run away, I just chased her down and made sure I kept an eye on her (until) police got here,” said Amara, according to the station. “If that was me, I’d want someone to help me, too.”

Police said the woman was “laughing and speaking nonsensically” as they tried to arrest her, KCPQ reported. She told police she’d crashed on purpose and closed her eyes first, court documents show.

Officers suspect the woman was high on methamphetamine, but she refused a sobriety test, according to the station.

Police say she will face charges including vehicular homicide, hit and run, and vehicular assault, The Seattle Times reported.

This story was originally published December 2, 2019 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Driver shut her eyes and plowed into four people on purpose, Seattle police say."