Two individuals have been apprehended following an incident in which they allegedly tossed explosive devices from their vehicle in an attempt to evade a police traffic stop. The situation prompted authorities to close down I-90 in both directions, causing significant delays for weekend travelers.
The westbound lanes of I-90 on Mercer Island reopened Saturday afternoon after police observed the two men discarding explosive devices outside their car windows. Earlier, both eastbound and westbound lanes had been completely shut down, resulting in a substantial three-hour traffic jam in the Mercer Island area. The closure began shortly after 12:30 p.m. on October 12, when Bellevue Police initiated a traffic stop that the suspect vehicle failed to comply with, prompting a chase. Washington State Patrol (WSP) was called for assistance during the pursuit, at which point something was reportedly thrown from the vehicle that appeared to be an explosive device.
As a precaution, authorities halted all traffic in the vicinity. The westbound lanes were reopened shortly after 3 p.m., while the eastbound lanes from 76th Street were cleared just before 2 p.m. Police have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
The law enforcement response included locating and detonating two explosive devices discarded from the vehicle, while another item thrown was identified as a type of firework. In light of the incident, Mercer Island police have announced an increased presence in the area.
A bomb squad was deployed, and the two suspects were taken into custody, according to the state police. The incident led to significant traffic disruptions affecting drivers in Seattle, Bellevue, and Mercer Island.
