Thursday, October 1, 2026
A 64-year-old man was arrested after allegedly driving through a road closure and striking an event organizer with his vehicle during a triathlon race at Summit Lake
According to a Thurston County Sheriff’s Office report, Kenneth Alan Beck, of Olympia, attempted to drive through a temporary road closure set up for the “Sally Strong” triathlon, an officially permitted community event, on July 12.
Witnesses say Beck became confrontational with event staff and emergency personnel when he was informed the road was closed to traffic.
Officials say Beck refused multiple instructions to turn around and instead drove forward. When the event organizer (a woman) stood in front of his truck to prevent him from driving forward, he was seen by witnesses striking her twice with his truck.
He then exited his vehicle and continued to confront organizers and bystanders.
One off-duty deputy reported being shouted at, chest-bumped and shoved during the altercation.
“I attempted again to explain that I was warning him and he then got in my face and was yelling at me with approximately 10 inches between our faces and his stomach touching my torso,” the off-duty deputy stated in the report.
Responding deputies arrived shortly after and attempted to place Beck under arrest. He alledged resisted being handcuffed and was verbally aggressive throughout the process. He was arrested, and then later transported to the Thurston County Jail.
Beck is facing charges that include second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and failure to obey lawful orders from public safety personnel.
No serious injuries were reported during the incident.
3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
chrispc2u
Toxic masculinity being normalized by the leadership of the current presidential administration. #sad
Thursday, July 31, 2025 Report this
Wonderoos
To the previous commenter: You are so right. No man ever got upset and committed assault, disorderly conduct, or resisted arrest before the current presidential administration was in power. #hypocrisy #redherring
Thursday, July 31, 2025 Report this
Metzryder
I was there. He did not drive through nothing. She jumped out in front of his truck when he put in drive and freaked out like a crazy. The “off duty cop” had no credentials and acted like a tuff guy with a napoleon complex. This is fake news for clicks. Sad.
Saturday, August 2, 2025 Report this