Man bails from flaming car at 60 mph

SEA-TAC -- A man bailed from his car at 60 mph when the vehicle suddenly burst into flames Wednesday morning.

The man was traveling eastbound on State Route 518 when, according to witnesses, the car suddenly caught fire. Instead of stopping the car, the driver decided to bail from the moving vehicle as it traveled 60 mph on the roadway. The driver tumbled into the street and the car traveled up the eastbound ramp of Airport Way, where it rolled into heavy brush.

The flaming car continued for at least a half mile before it crashed, officials said.

According to witnesses, the driver was not hit by any passing cars but suffered a broken ankle and was taken to an area hospital. The driver allegedly told police he had no idea why the car caught fire, or why he decided to bail at a high speed instead of stopping the car.

Eastbound SR 518 was shut for some time while emergency workers treated the man. His name and age were not immediately known.

Police are investigating the incident.