A high-speed chase that spanned through Lacey and Olympia ended in a head-on collision resulting in the death of a 70-year-old woman and injuries to two other individuals. The suspect, a woman with an extensive criminal history, was arrested after the crash, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
The pursuit began on Saturday afternoon when deputies responded to a call about a suspicious black truck. A caller reported an unknown female asking for fentanyl and then allegedly tried to run her over before speeding away. KIRO 7 reports that deputies, upon locating the truck being driven erratically and with a flat tire, discovered it was a vehicle stolen from King County.
Attempts to stop the truck included deploying spike strips by Olympia police, according to MyNorthwest. Despite the roadblock, the suspect continued driving recklessly into oncoming traffic where she collided head-on with another vehicle. The collision injured the driver and two passengers, one of whom, Gina Munna, 70, later died in hospital as a result of her injuries.
Following the crash, the suspect fled on foot but was shortly apprehended. "Our thoughts are with those affected by this senseless tragedy. We are working closely with WSP to ensure all aspects of this incident are fully investigated," Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders was quoted saying in a KOMO News article. The suspect's criminal record includes 47 prior arrests, four felony convictions, and three active warrants. She now faces multiple felony charges including second-degree murder and vehicular assault among others.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is the leading agency investigating this incident which has shaken the community. The aftermath of the pursuit and actions of the suspect raise grave concerns regarding the intersection of criminal behavior and public safety, as exemplified by this latest, tragic event.
