TACOMA, WA — Two people, including an armed carjacking suspect, were taken to a hospital Monday afternoon after a police pursuit led to a crash in south Tacoma, reports KOMO News.
The wreck took place on the southbound lanes of Interstate 5, just south of the 56th Street exit.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, the events unfolded at about 11:25 a.m., after a woman reported her car had been stolen at gunpoint while in Orangegate Park, near 84th Street East and 46th Avenue East. Because the vehicle had been equipped with an air tag tracking device, deputies were able to follow the suspect’s movements.
When deputies attempted to stop the stolen vehicle near a Federal Way shopping center, the suspect sped away, despite stop sticks officials had placed in the area. The PCSD said deputies were able to follow the vehicle because the armed robbery qualified the incident as a “pursuable offense.”
One deputy was eventually able to execute a successful PIT maneuver on southbound I-5. Since the fleeing vehicle had already lost a tire due to the previously-placed stop sticks, it crashed on the highway shoulder.
The driver tried to flee the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended. Deputies were able to rescue a female passenger who was left inside the wrecked vehicle before it became engulfed in flames.
Though the vehicle fire spread to a nearby grass and two deputy patrol cars, no major injuries were reported. A firearm was recovered from near the stolen vehicle.
Both the driver and the passenger were transported to an area hospital to be medically evaluated. Upon medical clearance, the driver, who was positively identified by the theft victim, was expected to be booked into jail.
Have you or someone you love been hurt in a recent crash due to another driver’s recklessness? Your family could be owed compensation for the personal and financial hardships endured. The Seattle car accident attorneys at Dubin Law Group are experienced in helping families in the area fight for the money they deserve. Call us today at 206-462-4428 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation.