A 46-yeaer-old Washington State Patrol trooper suffered a mild concussion, cuts to the head and neck and bruises after he lost control of his car while chasing a group of motorcycles traveling more than 100 mph at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Seattle along northbound Interstate 5 near State Route 599, just north I-405 and Kent.
Trooper Brian Salyer radioed dispatch that he was attempting to overtake a group of motorcycles traveling at more than 100 mph on northbound I-5 from southbound I-405, according to a State Patrol media release.
As Salyer attempted to get close enough to identify the lead (and fastest) of the reckless bikes, two of them intentionally cut in front of his patrol car forcing him to swerve and slam on the brakes to avoid running them over.
That action apparently caused the trooper’s car to lose control on the ramp from northbound I-5 to northbound State Route 599, strike the guardrail and violently roll several times before coming to rest in the ditch.
The force of the collision pinned Salyer in his vehicle. Firefighters were forced to extricate the trooper from the car.
Salyer told State Patrol investigators that as he was struggling to get out of the severely damaged car at least two of the reckless motorcycle riders returned to the collision, parked within 30 feet of his car, got off their motorcycles and began taunting him by clapping and laughing at him as he was bleeding and struggling within the wreckage.
The riders rode off quickly as other motorists began arriving and assisted the trooper by calling 911.
The State Patrol is withholding information and descriptions of the motorcyclists until detectives can contact all potential witnesses and collect evidence.
Salyer was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he was treated for a mild concussion, head and neck lacerations, and significant bumps and bruises. He is expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday. Salyer is a 22-year veteran of the State Patrol.
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