DUI Driver Hits State Trooper's Vehicle in Renton

Trooper parked in front of passed-out driver to prevent fleeing, but driver still collided with patrol car.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A Washington State Patrol vehicle was hit by a driver in Renton, Washington who was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence. The trooper had parked in front of the driver, who was passed out behind the wheel, in an attempt to prevent the driver from fleeing, but the driver still rolled into the trooper's patrol car when they awoke.

Why it matters

Impaired driving continues to be a major public safety issue, with DUI crashes causing injuries, fatalities, and property damage. This incident highlights the proactive efforts of Washington State Patrol's Target Zero Trooper program to identify and apprehend drunk drivers before they can cause harm.

The details

According to Washington State Patrol (WSP), on the evening of January 1, a WSP Target Zero Trooper located a driver passed out behind the wheel at the stoplight at southbound State Route 167 and 43rd Street in Renton. The trooper parked in front of the driver to reduce the chance of the driver fleeing, but when the driver awoke, they rolled into the trooper's patrol car.

  • On the evening of January 1, the incident occurred.

The players

Washington State Patrol (WSP)

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling Washington's highways and roads.

Target Zero Troopers

A group of Washington State Patrol troopers who work nights and concentrate solely on apprehending drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of impaired driving and the important role of law enforcement programs like Target Zero Troopers in identifying and stopping drunk drivers before they can cause harm on the roads.