Imagine crossing Seattle’s I-90 floating bridge, with Lake Washington stretching out below and the city skyline behind you. The elevated route is part of a 10-mile trail connecting Seattle and Bellevue, designed for people traveling on foot or by bicycle.
Then, instead of another cyclist or pedestrian, a car suddenly appears on the trail.
A video now circulating online shows a vehicle driving rapidly along the I-90 Trail, even though the route is not open to vehicle traffic. The clip first surfaced on Reddit and has prompted the Washington State Patrol to investigate how the car ended up on the trail, which is intended for pedestrians and bicyclists.
No-One Was Injured From Videos Shown, Investigation Underway
A separate clip posted by a Bluesky user appears to show a pedestrian standing near the vehicle and holding it up, adding another moment to the unusual incident. The footage provides a different view of what happened on the trail as the car attempted to continue along the route.
The pedestrian’s actions also appear to show people doing their part to prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating. By holding the vehicle up, they may have helped slow its progress and reduce the risk of an encounter with someone else using the trail. It is another reminder that everyday decisions can sometimes help prevent injuries.
The Washington State Department of Transportation confirmed to MyNorthwest that it is aware of the incident and the videos circulating online. The agency emphasized that safety remains its top priority and said it has been in contact with WSP as the investigation moves forward.
Car driving on I90 trail today very fast
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u/vertr in
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Rather than simply looking at what happened, WSDOT said the findings could help identify whether changes are needed to prevent a similar incident in the future. The I-90 Trail is a 10-mile paved route running alongside I-90 across Lake Washington, connecting Seattle and Bellevue. The trail begins in Seattle’s Rainier Valley near 12th Ave. S and Sturgus Park before continuing east toward Factoria in Bellevue.
With the investigation still underway, the key question is not only how the car reached the trail, but whether anything can be done to make sure another vehicle cannot follow the same path.
Social Media Debates What Punishment Fits
As the footage spread, the conversation quickly turned from disbelief to what consequences the driver should face. Some Reddit users argued that simply taking away the driver’s license would not be enough, with one commenter saying the driver should also lose the vehicle. Others went further, calling for jail time or even a felony charge.
One commenter called for an immediate license suspension and vehicle impoundment, while another questioned whether losing a license would actually prevent the person from driving again.
There was also a debate over whether the driver could have accidentally entered the trail. One commenter said they could understand accidentally turning onto it, but argued that the driver should have backed out rather than continuing along the route.
Others focused on the apparent danger posed to people who use the trail. One cyclist described the incident as “extremely concerning,” while another said they were relieved the pedestrian seen in the additional footage was not hit.
The reaction reflects a broader question now hanging over the incident: if the investigation determines the driver knowingly continued along a pedestrian and bicycle trail, what punishment would be appropriate?