FERNDALE, Wash. — Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers and other local law enforcement agencies were dispatched about 2:20pm today, May 12th, to the area of the Portal Way and I-5 interchange after callers reported a wrong way driver had entered the freeway southbound in the northbound lanes.
WSP Trooper Kelsey Harding said callers described the suspect vehicle as a gray SUV with no license plates.
The suspect vehicle reportedly stopped in the gore point at end of the off-ramp at Portal Way and was met there by a Ferndale Police Department officer who reported the driver drove around the patrol vehicle and continued southbound in the northbound lanes.
Additional callers reported the suspect vehicle was driving southbound at a high rate of speed on the shoulder of the northbound lanes before exiting at the Slater Road and I-5 interchange.
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Click for more informationThe suspect vehicle was ultimately stopped by law enforcement in the area of the intersection of Slater Road and Ferndale Road.
Harding said the vehicle was reported to have been stopped at 2:40pm.
WSP booked the driver, identified as Guy Robert Bird, age 47, into Whatcom County Jail charged with suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving in Whatcom County District Court. Bail has been set at $2,000.