In Puyallup, WA, a late-night pursuit ended in flames when a suspected DUI driver, now revealed to be a felon, intentionally crashed into a police cruiser, according to a statement from the Puyallup Police Department. The crash occurred after law enforcement lost sight of the suspect in the area of River Road and North Meridian, as reported by FOX 13 Seattle. In an attempt to evade capture, the driver encountered another cruiser and made the bold decision to ram it head-on.
This suspect's actions didn't just leave a patrol car burning. In some twist of fate, the marked car belonged to a K-9 officer who was, alongside his faithful partner, heading to assist with the ongoing chase. Both the officer and his K9 partner managed to escape the vehicle before the fire could claim more than just metal and plastic. Officers arriving at the scene used fire extinguishers to quell the fire, "KOMO News" reports. Ensuing from the wreckage, authorities located what seemed to be drugs, firearms, and ammunition within the confines of the suspect’s car, a discovery that necessitated the seizure of the vehicle for further investigation.
The pursuit and its fiery conclusion resulted in an extensive closure of the bypass, which remained inaccessible for hours while the Metro Cities Major Collision Response Team conducted their investigation. The suspect, who was arrested and is now facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, was booked into the Pierce County Jail shortly thereafter. Though his name has not been disclosed, it was confirmed that he has a history of felony convictions, per details from KOMO News.
