On Sunday, a Seattle public school principal was arrested for DUI and reckless endangerment after grabbing the steering wheel while riding in a car a woman was driving, causing the vehicle to flip.
According to court documents obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, the woman told police she refused to press charges against Chief Sealth International High School principal Ray Garcia-Morales because she was afraid of him. No charges were filed, and Garcia-Morales was released from custody. However, Seattle Public Schools placed him on administrative leave until further notice.
Early Sunday morning, Seattle police arrived at the scene of an overturned Toyota Highlander with “Suspect 1” standing next to it with bloodshot eyes. Garcia-Morales initially denied anyone else was in the vehicle and claimed he had not been drinking. However, 911 callers had reported a woman fleeing the crash site. Police observed that the driver’s seat was positioned too far forward for him to have been the driver, and the vehicle was not registered to him. Based on these observations, officers released him at the scene.
Officers later visited the registered owner’s home. The woman reported she had attended a party with Garcia-Morales, where he became verbally abusive. She recorded his driving out of fear before they switched seats. She stated that he grabbed the steering wheel while she was driving, causing the SUV to flip. After the crash, he allegedly asked her, “Do you wanna die?” She fled the scene, citing past verbal abuse and concerns for her safety.
The victim told police Garcia-Morales had a history of abusive behavior, including mistreating the family dog. Her daughter also reported past verbal abuse. Police documented bruising on the victim’s arm and face. King County Sheriff’s deputies later arrested Garcia-Morales at his brother’s house for DUI, domestic violence, and reckless endangerment.
Seattle Public Schools addressed the incident in a letter to students and staff: “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.”
The letter also stated, “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.”
Garcia-Morales previously made headlines in 2023 for investigating anti-police teacher Ian Golash, who displayed posters of terrorists in the school and made controversial statements regarding Hamas. Golash, who has a criminal history including multiple arrests for assault and harassment, was eventually suspended after failing a student for stating biological facts about gender.
