Suspected explosive closes Interstate 90 on Mercer Island

The Washington State Patrol closed Interstate 90 in both directions on Mercer Island Saturday afternoon after a suspected explosive device was thrown from a vehicle.

Bellevue police officers arrested two people from the car.

They began following a black sedan within Bellevue city limits when the driver sped away on westbound I-90.

State Trooper Rick Johnson reports the vehicle stopped near Island Crest Way and the driver threw what appeared to be an explosive device.

Bellevue officers requested assistance from the Washington State Patrol.

A team of State Patrol bomb technicians was dispatched to the scene.

Traffic on I-90 came to a standstill after police said someone threw an explosive device from a car during a traffic stop on Mercer Island. (Photo: WA Department of Transport)

The closure brought traffic to a standstill in both directions of the highway.

I-90 was closed westbound at Bellevue Way SE

Police closed the eastbound lanes on 76th Avenue SE

Traffic on eastbound I-90 came to a standstill as police on Mercer Island responded to an explosive device thrown from a vehicle near Island Crest Way. (Photo: WA Department of Transport)

The closure worsened an already difficult weekend for drivers on the east side. Bridge 520 will also be closed all day on Saturday and Sunday due to construction work.