Teen rescued from submerged car in Lake Washington, woman arrested for vehicular assault

SEATTLE— A woman is facing assault charges after a car crashed into Lake Washington Saturday evening, sending her and a teenage passenger to the hospital.

Seattle Fire Department (SFD) posted on X that crews responded to reports of a car in the water at the boat launch at Be’er Sheva Park in the 9000 block of Seward Park Ave S.

SFD said crews arrived on scene and reported the vehicle was approximately 30 to 40 feet from the shoreline. The Seattle Police Department’s Harbor Patrol worked with firefighters to locate the person in the water.

Four of the SFD rescue swimmers, four divers and two rescue craft entered the water and began searching for the missing person. According to SFD, two aerial ladders with lights were raised above the boat launch to assist with search efforts.

An investigation by the Seattle Police Department revealed that the two women were parked at the Atlantic City Boat Ramp before the accident.

After the car rolled into the water, the 20-year-old driver was able to get out through a window, followed by the 17-year-old passenger. Police said both were able to get out of the car, but the passenger was unable to swim to shore.

A rescue swimmer found the 17-year-old girl in the water and brought her to shore. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

According to SFD, the 20-year-old driver left the car under his own power. The woman was in stable condition and was taken to hospital.

According to the SFD PIO, the woman was arrested for negligence. Seattle police later said she was arrested for vehicular assault after showing signs of impairment.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Traffic Collision Investigations Squad at 206-684-8923.