Driver arrested after high-speed crash sends another motorist to hospital

A 32-year-old man was taken into custody after he allegedly sped through City of Tumwater streets at more than 100 mph, caused a collision with another vehicle, and attempted to flee the scene on foot. 

The Tumwater Police Department said the incident started around 3:15 p.m. when a white Dodge Charger was seen racing southbound on Henderson Boulevard SE at a high rate of speed. Witnesses said other drivers pulled over to avoid a collision. 

 Minutes later, the same vehicle allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Capitol Boulevard S and Tumwater Boulevard SE, striking a Dodge Ram. The Charger came to rest in a nearby field and caught fire, with flames rising several feet into the air. 

The driver, identified as Justin John Hansen, of Woodland, reportedly ran from the crash site toward Israel Road SW.

A former Shelton Police Department lieutenant witnessed the incident and saw Hansen run away from the scene. When responding officers arrived, the witness directed authorities to Hansen, who was found hiding in bushes and was detained without incident. 

Police said Hansen had scrapes and scratches, similar to someone who had just been in an accident. The suspect also displayed signs of someone who had just used narcotics. 

“Justin`s eyes were watery, bloodshot, and it appeared that he was having a difficult time keeping his eyes open. He was behaving very strangely and removing clothes, doing pushups, lying down. He also stated that he was cold when it was very warm in the holding cell,” a responding officer said in the report.

 A blood draw was taken from the suspect.

The 76-year-old driver of the Dodge Ram was hospitalized at the MultiCareCapitol Medical Center in Olympia and is recovering from a fractured sternum. 

Hansen was booked into the Thurston County Corrections Facility on suspicion of reckless driving, driving under the influence, vehicular assault and hit-and-run.