Four-car collision in Lacey sends multiple people to hospital, road closed for hours 

A multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Ruddell Road SE and 14th Avenue SE on Saturday afternoon, June 7, sent multiple people to the hospital. 

The incident occurred around 3:18 p.m. when a Dodge Charger traveling at high rate of speed collided with three other vehicles on Ruddell Road.  

Before the multiple car collision happened, a Lacey Police Department (LPD) patrolling officer observed the vehicle driving recklessly on College Street SE and attempted to follow to conduct a traffic stop. 

“The driver of the Charger turned east onto 14th Ave SE and fled at a high rate of speed onto Ruddell Rd SE where he caused a four car injury collision. The Charger subsequently caught fire, however all occupants were able to self extricate,” the Lacey Police Department stated in a police report. 

Emergency responders said 11 people suffered injuries in the crash. Five individuals, ranging in age from 16 to 67, were transported to the hospital with injuries that included broken bones and other nonlife-threatening conditions. 

Authorities confirmed the driver of the Charger, identified by police records as 19-year-old Tacoma resident Jalen Rose Powell, will face charges, including vehicular assault and reckless driving. Powell will be booked into Thurston County Corrections Facility once he is cleared by the hospital. 

Ruddell Road was closed between 15th Avenue SE and Lacey Boulevard SE for more than three hours, as the police department's Major Collision Team investigated the scene. Crews from Lacey Public Works assisted with traffic control and cleanup.