Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders has again been the victim of a vehicle collision involving a suspected impaired driver, according to reports from multiple sources. The incident occurred early Sunday morning when a 29-year-old woman allegedly veered into oncoming traffic on Martin Way East in Olympia, ultimately colliding with the sheriff's car. In a statement obtained by The Olympian, Sanders detailed how the other vehicle attempted to turn, subsequently "t-boning my car."
Shortly after the crash, the woman suspected of causing the accident fled the scene but was later found by officers from the Lacey Police Department. She was discovered "hiding in the bushes," a detail shared by Sanders himself. The suspect was apprehended with the assistance of a K9 team and arrested on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and hit-and-run, as reported by KOMO News. Sanders noted both he and his passenger, a deputy sheriff recruit, were relatively unscathed, with "normal car crash injuries."
Expressing relief over their safety and appreciation for the swift law enforcement response, Sanders took to social media to highlight the dangers on Washington's roads, "Happy to be alive, happy that my passenger is unharmed, and extremely grateful for the response from our regional law enforcement partners to ensure a swift capture," he posted on Facebook.
The accident marks another troubling instance for Sanders, who had a similar encounter last April when a DUI suspect collided with his vehicle. That earlier incident, which left him with injuries necessitating airlift to Harborview Medical Center, was caused by a driver under the influence of methamphetamine, as per the Washington State Patrol and stated in a KOMO News report. With these repeated incidents, the risks faced by law enforcement and citizens alike on the state's highways are brought into stark relief.
There is, however, a legislative light on the horizon with the scheduled implementation of House Bill 1493 in 2026 which, according to KING5, will facilitate felony charges for DUI offenses in Washington—a move likely to augment the legal repercussions for impaired driving and potentially deter such hazardous behavior behind the wheel.
