Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders pursued a fleeing suspect accused of hit and run and driving under the influence (DUI), who was later arrested and booked on multiple charges.
Last Saturday afternoon, Lacey police were dispatched to a hit-and-run collision between a green Toyota Tacoma truck and another vehicle at Pacific Avenue and Carpenter Road, according to Thurston County Sheriff’s Office’s (TCSO) social media.
The victim believed that the man behind the truck was driving under the influence, TCSO said.
The truck fled the scene and the victim followed it. Eventually, Lacey police got behind the truck and attempted to stop it, but the vehicle fled on Pacific and got onto I-5 South, the Lacey police discontinued pursuit on a shoulder on I-5.
The truck continued to drive away until it was spotted by Sanders, who was on the way to a community event. The sheriff obtained approval from the on-duty sergeant to pursue the truck, which he suspected to be a DUI case due to the vehicle’s “significant lane travel.”
Sanders requested assistance from the Washington State Patrol and Tumwater police. State patrol attempted a maneuver called Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) to stop the vehicle but was unsuccessful.
The driver then sped toward patrol cars and traveled northward in the southbound lanes, TCSO said. The suspect swerved to the side to avoid crashing into a patrol vehicle; at this point, a second PIT maneuver attempt successfully stopped the truck.
The suspect was arrested without incident.
The suspect was booked for eluding police, DUI, no ignition interlock, third-degree driving while license suspended, and possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as his outstanding warrants for unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, hit and run, and providing false statements.
TCSO said, “We want to thank WSP, Tumwater Police, Lacey Police, and anyone else who assisted in the arrest.”
2 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
bobkat
As a retired LEO w/25+ yrs experience I commend all those involved in this incident - on BOTH ends of the radio. Good pursuit driving - good coordination, and good radio practice! Nice job!
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Report this
SecondOtter
Thanks to the law enforcement personnel involved in this, but come on. LET'S have a NAME of the '''suspect". He's already got a record as long as his arm, we, the public, should have the right to know who he is. And for heaven's sakes, this time KEEP HIM BEHIND bars. All these warrants, is it any wonder he can get away with crime? A wrist slap is nothing to louts like him. Will it take him killing someone before they actually keep him in jail?
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Report this