Man dies after jumping into Lake Washington in handcuffs

The Washington State Patrol reports a 31-year-old Kirkland man died early Friday after jumping into Lake Washington from the State Route 520 bridge as a trooper was attempting to arrest him for driving under the influence.

A WSP news release states the man was stopped traveling eastbound on SR 520, near the west high rise, around 1:37 a.m. Aug. 17. He was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI 15 minutes later, and allegedly resisted arrest as the trooper was attempting to place him in their patrol car.

“The suspect then intentionally jumped off the bridge, and in to Lake Washington,” the release states. “The Trooper attempted to grab, and hold, the subject from falling in to the water, but was unsuccessful.”

The Seattle Police Department’s Harbor Unit recovered the man from the lake 42 minutes later, and he was transported to Harborview Medical Center. He was confirmed deceased at 3:26 a.m.

To ensure transparency, WSP reports it has asked SPD to take over the investigation.