A Bellevue Motorcycle officer was injured in Seattle on Tuesday, August 15th, according to the Bellevue Police Department. He had been assigned as service detail for the Vice Presidential visit to Seattle Tuesday afternoon.
The 39-year-old motorcycle officer reportedly fell between 50-60 feet off the Michigan Street on-ramp and landed in the southbound lanes of I-5. Traffic was stopped along I-5 for a short time to transport the officer to the hospital.
The officer was said to be conscious and alert when he was transported to Harborview Medical Center.
The injured Bellevue motorcycle officer is currently in critical condition and in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center. Kevin Bereta sustained multiple injuries.
“Somehow, by the grace of God, he was not struck,” said Meeghan Black, a Bellevue police spokesperson. “Washington State Patrol will be investigating what and how the hell that happened. We are just very, very thankful that he is in as good a condition as he is.”
Officer Bereta joined the Bellevue Police Department in January 2018 and transferred to the Traffic Division as a motorcycle officer in 2020.
The Washington State Patrol is conducting the investigation. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Vice President Kamala Harris visited Tuesday afternoon, when she spoke at and toured green construction company, McKinstry. Her visit to Seattle was to discuss clean energy.
A recovery fund has been set up for Kevin Bereta as he has a long road ahead to recovery. Officer Bereta has undergone several surgeries already and will face many months of rehabilitation. The Bellevue Police Foundation is collecting donations to support the Bereta family during his long recovery. If you would like to help, fill out the form and donate.
