Seattle, WA
Seattle principal arrested for DUI and domestic violence after car flips
West Seattle principal arrested for DUI, domestic violence
The principal for West Seattle’s Chief Sealth High School is out after a shocking arrest over the weekend.
SEATTLE – The principal of West Seattle’s Chief Sealth International High School has been forced out after a domestic violence DUI incident over the weekend.
FOX 13 Seattle previously reported that Seattle Public Schools sent a letter to parents, saying police took Ray Garcia-Morales into custody for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment early Sunday morning.
According to a police report obtained by FOX 13 Seattle, Garcia-Morales said, “Do you want to die?” to a woman driving the car he was in, before grabbing the wheel of the car and causing it to flip over.
Traffic camera snapshot of Garcia-Morales’ arrest (left, SDOT) Ray Garcia-Morales (right) (SDOT // FOX 13)
Dig deeper:
When the police arrived at the scene, Garcia-Morales was the only one there. Garcia-Morales told police he was driving, and he had not been drinking, according to the report.
However, police said Garcia-Morales’s eyes were bloodshot, and 911 callers reported seeing a woman flee the scene.
Police were able to track down the woman, since she owned the car that was involved in the crash.
What they’re saying:
The victim told police she ran away from the crash because she was afraid of Garcia-Morales, according to the report.
She told officers that she and Garcia-Morales were at a party about ten miles away from the crash.
The victim told police Garcia-Morales was drinking at the party and then fell asleep. When she asked if he wanted to leave, he got aggressive with her.
At first, Garcia-Morales was behind the wheel, the victim said. She told police she was recording him driving because she was afraid. The report states officers saw the video.
Eventually, the victim and Garcia-Morales switched seats, and she drove the rest of the way back to West Seattle, she told police.
During the drive, Garcia-Morales opened the car door then grabbed the steering wheel, which led to the car flipping, according to the victim.
The victim also told police Garcia-Morales had been verbally abusive to her in the past, and abused their family dog.
What’s next:
However, the police tell FOX 13 Seattle the victim is refusing to move forward with the case. No charges have been filed, but the case is still under review.
Seattle Public Schools sent this letter to students and teachers following the incident:
“Dear Chief Sealth International families and staff,
We are writing to share some important personnel information with you. At approximately 3 a.m. Sunday, Principal Ray Garcia-Morales was arrested by the Seattle Police Department for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment. He was immediately placed on administrative leave until further notice.
According to court records, no charges were filed, and the case has been closed. As this is a personnel issue, further details are confidential to protect privacy rights. Assistant Principal Hope Perry will be stepping in to serve in his absence. Please feel free to reach out to her with school-related questions. As other questions arise concerning this sensitive matter, please send them to publicaffairs@seattleschools.org.”
FOX 13 Seattle reached out to Garcia-Morales for comment, but we have not heard back.
The Source: Information comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter AJ Janavel.
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Seattle News Weekly S1E44: FIFA Frenzy hits the PNW
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is off and running as Seattle prepares to host the United States vs. Australia match on Friday. With more matches to be played in the Emerald City after that, FOX 13’s David Rose, Dan Griffin and Austin Lane are taking a closer look at the biggest stories surrounding the international tournament. Dan is hearing from fans on Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s decision to turn on CCTV cameras during the World Cup, Austin is taking a deeper dive into why ties are a good thing in the group stage, and David revisits the lessons learned from the first match hosted in Seattle between Egypt and Belgium.
SEATTLE – The FIFA World Cup has taken Seattle by storm, bringing global excitement to our city and visitors from across the world.
On this week’s episode of the ‘Seattle News Weekly’ podcast, David Rose, Dan Griffin and Austin Lane discuss the top headlines of the week that have emerged alongside the buzz about the FIFA World Cup 2026.
A Massive Tournament Expansion
The hosts open the podcast with a discussion on how historically large this year’s FIFA World Cup is compared to years past. Expanded to 48 teams (up from 32), the tournament features a record 104 matches over 39 days across 16 host cities. Seattle is hosting six of those matches.
Austin explains the value of “ties” in the group stage—especially with the new format where 32 teams advance to the knockout stage instead of 16—meaning a single point from a tie carries significant weight.
At the time of recording, the US had already defeated Paraguay and is preparing to face Australia at “Seattle Stadium,” where a win would guarantee advancement.
Transit Tactics
Dan Griffin reports on the city’s transit system, noting that while the light rail is moving a massive influx of people smoothly, transit authorities are actively “throttling” passengers.
This practice involves controlling crowd flow onto platforms to ensure safety, which has caused wait times of over an hour for some fans on TikTok. Transit officials recommend that fans walk to stations slightly further away from the stadium district to get moving faster.
The CCTV Security Debate
The hosts talk about how security is a major focal point. The FBI has already had to confiscate drones being flown illegally downtown. More prominently, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson activated controversial closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the Stadium District following “general but credible threats” identified by law enforcement.
While an activist group called Community, Not Cameras expressed fears that the surveillance puts vulnerable populations at risk due to federal agency presence, visitors and fans interviewed largely welcomed the extra layer of security. The cameras are expected to be turned off after the World Cup concludes.
Cultural Celebrations and Fan Experiences
The hosts play a clip from reporter Lauren Donovan who provides a colorful look at the fan festivities happening in the city. She highlights the “March to the Match,” describing Monday morning where Belgian fans swarmed Victory Hall alongside middle school band directors from the Stanwood-Camano district who were recruited to drum for them.
She also joins celebrating Egyptian fans, whose match against Belgium ended in an enthusiastic tie. The hosts note that international fans (like those from Australia) are already flooding local attractions, including Seattle Mariners baseball games, turning the sporting event into a broader West Coast vacation.
Seattle News Weekly is a podcast that goes in depth and gives context to the stories that matter to the western Washington community. Check back every Thursday for a new episode on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Stitcher, Amazon Music, TuneIn and Audible or YouTube.
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
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How Seattle is preparing for USMNT vs. Australia World Cup match on Juneteenth
FIFA World Cup billboards in Seattle spark sexual health conversations
Seattle’s Ballard to host Pride celebration, FIFA watch party on June 26
Seattle reviews FIFA World Cup 2026 transit options after post-match congestion
Egypt’s World Cup pride, Mohamed Salah’s legacy and one fan’s love for the Pharaohs
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Mariners’ electric right-hander could not have rebounded in a more emphatic way.
World Cup fans land in Seattle for first Belgium-Egypt game
Fans from around the globe arrived in Seattle for the FIFA World Cup matchup between Belgium and Egypt Monday, June 15 — the first of six games to be played at the downtown Seattle Stadium.
Seattle’s World Cup party on the waterfront just got a little bit bigger.
On the eve of the next USMNT game (U.S. vs. Australia, June 19 at 12 p.m. PT), Fox will be broadcasting live from Pier 62 in Seattle, according to a social media post.
Fans will have a number of options when it comes to watching the US take on Australia in their second group stage match, including from a floating barge, a 70-foot screen and a number of bars across the city.
Former Sounder Clint Dempsey, former USMNT player Alexi Lalas, Rob Stone and Stu Holden will broadcast live from downtown Seattle from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where can you watch the broadcast online?
FOX ONE will be streaming the broadcast online at www.fox.com.
What other World Cup games are happening Thursday?
- 9:00 A.M. – Czechia vs South Africa (Group A) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
- 12:00 P.M. – Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
- 3:00 P.M. – Canada vs Qatar (Group B) at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia
- 6:00 P.M. – Mexico vs South Korea (Group A) at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco
Full USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
Game 2: USMNT vs. Australia
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Date: June 19, 2026
- Kickoff: 12 p.m. PT
- TV: FOX, Telemundo
- Streaming: FOX One, Fubo, Peacock
Game 3: USMNT vs. Turkey
- Location: Inglewood, California
- Date: June 25, 2026
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT
- TV: FOX, Telemundo
- Streaming: FOX One, Fubo, Peacock
Full World Cup 2026 schedule
- Group stage: June 11-27
- Round of 32: June 28-July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarterfinals: July 9-11
- Semifinals: July 14-15
- Third-place game: July 18
- Final: July 19
Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network’s Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at zfletcher@usatodayco.com.
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