Melanie Ross Dies in Tragic Ferry Dock Accident in Edmonds
On June 17, 2025, at approximately 11:10 p.m., a high-speed pursuit involving law enforcement concluded with a fatal accident at the Edmonds ferry dock in Edmonds, Washington. The incident commenced when Washington State Patrol troopers observed a Mini Cooper, operated by 29-year-old William G. Leonard of Tulalip, traveling at 79 mph in a 60-mph zone on Interstate 5. A brief pursuit ensued but was terminated shortly after. Subsequently, Snohomish County deputies located the vehicle in Edmonds and initiated a second pursuit upon observing it exceeding 100 mph. The Mini Cooper evaded an attempted traffic stop, proceeded to the ferry dock, breached a barrier, and submerged into the water. No ferry was docked at the time of the incident.
The vehicle contained five individuals, among them Melanie E. Ross, 48, of Auburn, who was pronounced deceased at the scene alongside another passenger, Portsha C. Sapp, 45, of Lakewood. The driver, Leonard, and two additional passengers, Licia T. Gonzalez, 30, of Auburn, and Jose L. Serrano, 38, of Federal Way, sustained injuries and were transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The usage of seatbelts by the occupants has not been determined. Authorities from the Washington State Patrol suspect that drugs and alcohol may have been factors in the incident, and the investigation remains active with potential charges pending against the driver.
