Car slams into apartment bldg.; residents evacuated, driver arrested
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SEATTLE - A man was arrested after he crashed a car into a South Seattle apartment building then fought with officers as he tried to run from the scene, police said. Damage to the building was so extensive that all residents had to be evacuated.
Officers and medics responded to the scene, at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South Walden Street, at about 9:45 a.m. Thursday after receiving reports that a vehicle had crashed into a building.
When officers arrived, they found that a PT Cruiser had slammed into a three-story apartment building and was embedded into a wall.
The driver tried to flee from the scene on foot, then fought with officers when they tried to detain him, police said. He was taken into custody.
A male passenger trapped inside the car had to be cut free, then was taken to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
"The car basically went through the parking garage, went all the way through a laundry room and actually moved all the laundry machines out of that laundry room," said Kyle Moore of the Seattle Fire Department.
"It caused significant damage to the building - so much damage that we are evacuating the building of all the residents, because we don't believe at this time the structure is safe," Moore added.
According to witnesses, the driver and passenger had just left a business in the vicinity, where the two were involved in a disturbance.
The pair initially left the business but then returned, where the driver assaulted two employees of the business because he thought they had called the police, said Renee Witt of the Seattle police. The driver then crashed into the apartment building as he attempted to flee the area, Witt said.
The driver will be evaluated for possible drug intoxication, then booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault and property damage.
Officers and medics responded to the scene, at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South Walden Street, at about 9:45 a.m. Thursday after receiving reports that a vehicle had crashed into a building.
When officers arrived, they found that a PT Cruiser had slammed into a three-story apartment building and was embedded into a wall.
The driver tried to flee from the scene on foot, then fought with officers when they tried to detain him, police said. He was taken into custody.
A male passenger trapped inside the car had to be cut free, then was taken to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
"The car basically went through the parking garage, went all the way through a laundry room and actually moved all the laundry machines out of that laundry room," said Kyle Moore of the Seattle Fire Department.
"It caused significant damage to the building - so much damage that we are evacuating the building of all the residents, because we don't believe at this time the structure is safe," Moore added.
According to witnesses, the driver and passenger had just left a business in the vicinity, where the two were involved in a disturbance.
The pair initially left the business but then returned, where the driver assaulted two employees of the business because he thought they had called the police, said Renee Witt of the Seattle police. The driver then crashed into the apartment building as he attempted to flee the area, Witt said.
The driver will be evaluated for possible drug intoxication, then booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault and property damage.
Why do you only give ages of these idiots unless they are elderly or very young? Seldon do you mention ages if they're between 30 & 65!  In my opinion it's AGE PROFILING!!!!!!!!
Looks like an HHR not a PT Cruiser.
 @LNSeveN Good eye brother. Seems the fact checker is asleep at the switch.
This is the kind of garbage on the streets these days. Be careful out there, good citizens.
 @TheTruncheon what do you expect enable bad behavior you get this stuff daily. empathy is one thing. responsibility for one"s behavior is a good thing. i just do not see much of it at anytime in the downtown, south Seattle area.Â
Put him into the corner. He's being a bad boy.... oh wait, he put himself into the corner!
He should have hung a tennis ball from a string so he knows when to stop.
Seriously don't know anyone under the age of 50 that drives a PT Cruiser.Â
 @quidproquo It was an HHR, not PT Cruiser.
 @Rsills82  @quidproquo the difference is negligible
 @Larry*X*K  @Rsills82  @quidproquo PT Cruiser would have probably caught fire in that type of collision.
I'm sure his mama was proud of him!!!
Trying to flee the scene and resisting arrest... Â I already know all about him. Â Lock him up, and keep him locked up as long as possible.
Too bad he didn't hit a little harder... let Darwinism take over......
Detained for what? Being a drunk, junky, assault/battery, or burglary? There lots of trash out there folks!Â
And this week on "Tweakers" ...
Yeah I remember when I first learned how to drive. Those apartment building can be killers. Got to watch for them crossing the road.
Hey KOMO. PT Cruisers aren't SUVs and your own quote from the SFD calls it a car.Â
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If you aren't sure of what the thing is, you should just call it an automobile.Â
 @caphillkid It's actually a Chevrolet HHR.Â
 @Rsills82 I was just going by what the SPD blog said. They look close enough that you're probably correct.Â
 @katiemcc True enough. Some sort of an automobile version of "it takes a licking and keeps on ticking". Of course after having lived in South Florida for many years and seeing how the senior citizens drive; I would think the car company could hit the jackpot just marketing to that crowd alone.
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Also, after having looked at my above comment I realize I used "your" when it should have been "you're". I do happen to know the difference but just didn't proofread before posting. My apologies.
@Petwlkr  They might want to put a little different spin to it though so it doesn't sound like it's designed for idiots & druggies who don't know how to drive.
 @Yeah_and  @Rsills82  @caphillkid I don't care what kind of a car it is; just can't help but be impressed. If your the manufacturer of a vehicle that can be imbedded into the wall of an apartment building and still have everyone inside walk away with only minor injuries you need to be using that fact as a selling point.Â
 @Rsills82  @caphillkid I was thinking "WOW, one he// of a PT Cruiser, had no idea they were built so tough" ..okaay makes sense now.
 @caphillkid  @Rsills82 As a PT Cruiser owner, I can DEFINITELY say that is NOT a PT Cruiser.
 @caphillkid Yeah.. only reason why I knew that is because I used to sell them, and my dad owns one that I sold to him.. haha. It's technically a station wagon (per Chevrolet's classification of the odd looking vehicle).
That's what I thought to.
Crashing into an apartment could be an accident. Â Fighting with officers as you tried to run from the scene is not! Â I'm the law!
 @Judge Dredd The driver also allegedly assaulted 2 other people before this accident, and was fleeing from that crime when he crashed.
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http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2012/09/20/vehicle-vs-apartment-building/
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 @caphillkid If SO, then he shall be charged for that also.  I'M THE LAW!
PT Cruisers aren't SUVs.Â
@caphillkid More like P.O.S.s