Stolen car plunges into water; suspect presumed drowned

The buoy marks the spot where the car went into the water.



SEATTLE -- Detectives are investigating a bizarre incident where a person fleeing police drove a car through a metal gate and plunged into Salmon Bay late Wednesday night. The suspect, or potential suspects, were presumed drowned, police said Thursday morning.

Seattle police witnesses saw a suspicious Nissan Sentra driving fast on Queen Anne Avenue at 11:30 Wednesday night. Police  then later received reports of a 'cloud of dust' near 12th Ave. W and Nickerson Street near Salmon Bay.

Officers called to the scene said it appeared the driver smashed through a metal gate and plunged the 4-door sedan into the water. The cars lights could be seen from the surface.



A search boat saw a suspect go under water after calling for help. They attempted to throw a rope to him four times, but he refused and went underwater. He never resurface.

Divers performed a grid search to look for anyone for more than an hour, police said. They did not locate anyone and say the car was empty. Police believe as many as four people were in the car before in plunged sank into the bay.

Police believe the car was taken from Phinney Ridge Monday.

SPD is investigating and will provide updates as they become available.