Seattle police arrested a 25-year-old man for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Reckless Driving after he caused a multi-vehicle collision in the Magnolia neighborhood late Saturday night.
The crash occurred on December 6 at about 11:40 p.m. in the 3400 block of West Viewmont Way West. According to police, the driver of a Nissan Rogue slammed into two parked vehicles—a Nissan Leaf and a BMW sedan—before his SUV flipped onto its side and came to rest against a power pole.
Officers described the driver as “heavily intoxicated,” and several 12-ounce beer cans were found scattered near the crash site.
Seattle Fire Department crews had to cut the man out of the damaged vehicle. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released.
Police are recommending that the Seattle City Attorney file charges of DUI and Reckless Driving. Officers also cited the man for:
-
Speed Too Fast for Road/Conditions
-
Open Alcohol Container in a Moving Vehicle
The collision resulted in a significant road closure, as the impacted power pole was nearly severed.
The December DUI Emphasis Team responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Detectives with the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad are now handling the case.
SPD noted this is the first holiday season since 2019 that the department has deployed a dedicated DUI enforcement team. Between December 3–7, officers made 175 police contacts citywide, resulting in 27 DUI arrests and 123 traffic citations—most of them for speeding.
“Heavily intoxicated” driver causes multi-vehicle crash in Magnolia:https://t.co/VsSQkZlgZd
— Seattle Police Department (@SeattlePD) December 9, 2025
For the first time since 2019, SPD has a dedicated a team of officers to watching for intoxicated drivers during the holiday season.
Between Dec. 3-7, the DUI Empasis teams, working nightly from 6 p.m. until 4 a.m. throughout the city, have already made 175 police contacts. SPD Officers have since made 27 DUI arrests and written 123 citations for traffic infractions – mostly for speeding.
