SEATTLE — The Washington State Patrol says southbound Interstate 5 in Seattle has reopened after a five-hour closure that began with a burning pickup blocking traffic and troopers who shot the knife-wielding driver.
The man died shortly after arrival at the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to a nursing supervisor.
The bizarre drama near the university district backed up traffic for miles Monday evening. Troopers turned some cars around and diverted others. Some bus passengers got out and walked.
Trooper Clifford Pratt says two troopers responding to 911 reports of a burning truck found the driver had left the vehicle and spray-painted a large green circle on the freeway. Pratt says that man came at one trooper with a knife. When a stun gun had no effect, Pratt says the troopers fired at the man. The troopers were unhurt.
