WSP Releases Details on the High Speed-Chase That Ended in the Puget Sound

One the evening of June 17th, a car drove off the ferry dock loading ramp into the water in Edmonds, WA. Conflicting information was released on the sequence of events, the number of passengers, and the number deceased.

The latest Washington State Patrol report and body cam footage acquired by Komo 4 news add some clarity.

According to police reports, a high-speed chase began in South Everett on I-5 around 11:10 pm where WSP observed a Mini Cooper going 79 in a 60. A pursuit was initiated but called off about a minute later.

Snohomish County Sheriff deputies found the vehicle in Edmonds and began a second pursuit after the car was seen exceeding 100 mph.

The deputies attempted to make a traffic stop, but the Mini Cooper fled.

Inside the Green 2012 Mini Cooper were five people:

• The driver, 29 year-old William G. Leonard of Tulalip, WA
• 30 year-old Licia Gonzalez of Auburn, WA
• 38 year-old Jose Serrano of Federal Way, WA
• 48 year-old Melanie Ross of Auburn, WA
• 45 year-old Portsha Sapp of Lakewood, WA

The chase led to the Edmonds Ferry Terminal, where the Mini Cooper drove through barriers and off the end of the Edmonds ferry dock, plunging into the water upside down at 11:27pm.

The car landed in 40-foot deep water with temperatures around 56 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Edmonds-Kingston ferry temporarily shut down so rescuers could get them out of the water and to pull the vehicle out as well.

Both Melanie Ross and Portsha Sapp were found deceased at the scene. William Leonard, Licia Gonzalez, and Jose Serrano were transported to the Harborview Medical Center.

Multiple agencies responded, including WSP, Edmonds Police, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, South County Fire Rescue, and Snohomish Police.

Drugs and alcohol are believed to have contributed to the crash, though the investigation remains ongoing.

Komo 4 was able to obtain and release body cam footage of one Edmonds officer at the scene:

“Put that over you so you don’t go down and you can hold him!”

I obtained body camera videos from @EdmondsPolice showing the response to the fatal crash where a fleeing car plunged off a ferry dock and landed in the water. (Video 1/2) https://t.co/067YmjW2Aw pic.twitter.com/qelfPXKsw8

— Jeremy Harris (@JeremyHarrisTV) June 19, 2025