Suspect in bizarre Seattle incident was arrested near Oak Harbor the day before

A Greenbank man suspected in a bizarre incident in Seattle Wednesday afternoon was arrested north of Oak Harbor the day before, according to a trooper with the Washington State Patrol.

Stephen T. Brant, 22, is facing multiple charges in Seattle after he allegedly drove into six other vehicles, went the wrong way on a ramp and attempted a carjacking, the state patrol reported.

Trooper Mark Francis said he pulled Brant over about four miles north of Oak Harbor after clocking him going 70 mph in a 55-mph zone.

Francis said Brant exhibited “obvious signs of stimulant use,” admitted he had smoked methamphetamine and failed a field sobriety test. The trooper also found suspected meth in the car.

Francis arrested Brant on suspicion of “DUI-drugs” and possession of meth. Brant was booked at the Island County jail just after midnight Tuesday and released.

Francis said he was surprised the next day when he heard that Brant had caused havoc in Seattle.

The State Patrol reports receiving calls just before 5 p.m. Wednesday of an erratically driven car striking other vehicles on northbound Interstate 5 north of Michigan Street. The vehicle left the interstate at the Columbian Way exit, then turned around and struck two cars while going the wrong way down the ramp.

At least six vehicles were struck in all, the State Patrol reports.

The driver, later identified as Brant, ran from the car. He entered a business on Airport Way, locking the door behind him. He left after an employee told him to get out, but then sat in front of the business behaving erratically.

Brant entered traffic and jumped on top of a vehicle. As the driver pulled to the side, Brant slid off, breaking the side mirror. Brant forcibly opened the door to another vehicle and struggled with the driver, who took his keys and was able to pull Brant out of the car with the help of another citizen, the State Patrol reported.

Seattle police caught Brandt at 5:23 p.m. A trooper took him into custody shortly afterward and brought him to Harborview Medical Center.

Brant was booked into the King County Jail at approximately 1:42 a.m. on multiple charges after being medically cleared by doctors, the State Patrol reported.