Man Arrested After Ramming Vehicles, Fleeing From Police in Stolen School Bus

After stealing a 33,000-pound vacant school bus and spending around 15 minutes smashing automobiles and escaping from authorities in SODO and the Central District, police nabbed a man in the Central District Tuesday morning.

A man stole an empty bus near South Horton and Colorado Avenue South around 7:51 a.m., according to police.

The suspect then sped through SODO, swerving across lanes, running red lights, and ramming other automobiles on purpose.

The suspect then proceeded east, ramming several vehicles throughout the way to Rainier and McClellan.

Because of the ongoing risk to the public, police pursued the suspect, who reached speeds upwards of 50 miles an hour.

The suspect continued north on Rainier, turning onto 23rd Avenue, where he struck a King County Metro Bus and later crashed into a light rail station construction site at 23rd Avenue and Judkins Street.

The suspect fled from the stolen bus a short distance away and was quickly arrested by officers.

Several major roads will be partially or fully closed, including the northbound lanes of 23rd Avenue from Dearborn to King Street, as police investigate. The suspect will be booked for vehicular assault and auto theft.

At this time, the suspect is believed to be a bus service employee, who was not authorized to drive buses.

We will update this post with more information as it becomes available.

Several minor injuries have been reported to police, but investigators are still seeking witnesses or other victims in this incident. If you believe your vehicle or property was struck by the suspect in the school bus in SODO, Beacon Hill or the Central District this morning, please call 911