Kidnapping suspect causes deadly Lynnwood crash

A man faces kidnapping and murder charges after leading deputies on a pursuit in Lynnwood, driving the wrong way on the highway, and colliding head-on with another driver, resulting in the driver's death.

LYNNWOOD, Wash. - A man faces kidnapping and murder charges after leading deputies on a pursuit in Lynnwood, driving the wrong way on the highway, and colliding head-on with another driver, resulting in the driver's death.

The crash was reported at around 8 p.m. on April 11 on SR 525 and 148th St. SW near Lynnwood. The crash happened on the northbound lanes, but both north and southbound lanes were shut down as a result.

According to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), the driver who caused the crash was a suspect in a kidnapping case. Deputies say the victim was inside the suspect's vehicle during the pursuit. Eventually, the suspect vehicle drove onto SR 525 in the wrong direction. That’s when deputies stopped pursuing the suspect.

According to Washington State Patrol (WSP) investigators, the suspect started driving southbound in the northbound lanes and struck an oncoming vehicle head-on.

The suspect’s vehicle rolled, caught on fire and came to a rest on top of the barrier between both north and southbound lanes.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) traffic cameras showed one vehicle mangled on top of the center cement barriers. Another car was seen with heavy damage several yards away.

Both the suspect, 37-year-old Robert Rowland of Kenmore, and the 34-year-old kidnapping victim were injured and taken to two separate nearby hospitals.

The driver whom the suspect crashed into, 83-year-old Trudy Slanger of Lynnwood, was found dead at the scene.

Authorities say the suspect is facing charges of kidnapping, first-degree domestic violence assault and second-degree murder.

Both lanes were blocked as troopers investigated. They have since reopened.