What started as a Saturday night traffic stop in Tacoma turned into a blazing wreck at a busy Parkland intersection, sending multiple people to the hospital and landing a 22-year-old in handcuffs.
The chaos began near the Alta apartments on Steele Street S when deputies tried to pull over a driver who refused to stop and took off at high speed, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. The chase rolled north on Steele, then swung onto Pacific Avenue S before ending in a violent two-car crash and vehicle fire at 110th Street S and Pacific Avenue S in Parkland.
Multiple people were hurt, including two children, and taken to a local hospital with what deputies described as non-life-threatening injuries. One Pierce County sheriff's deputy was also treated and transported with a non-life-threatening injury.
Deputies say they initially tried a standard traffic stop near the Alta apartments off Steele St S in Tacoma. When the driver failed to yield and sped off, deputies deployed a tracker device and briefly terminated the pursuit. The driver then re-entered the vehicle and continued driving until it hit another car at 110th St S and Pacific Ave S, where one of the vehicles caught fire, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
In a written update, the sheriff's office said, "A weapon was visible inside the suspect vehicle in plain view," and confirmed the crash left one vehicle ablaze and several occupants injured. Deputies said four people in the other car, including two children, were taken to a local hospital and that the suspect will be processed for DUI.
After the collision, deputies tracked down a 22-year-old man near SR 512 following a brief foot chase. They later located the suspect vehicle stopped at S 84th St and Yakima Ave and said it will be taken for a search warrant. Washington State Patrol and surrounding agencies assisted at the scene, and the sheriff's office asked the public to steer clear of the area while detectives worked through the wreckage and potential charges.
Investigation and what happened next
Detectives are processing the scene and gathering evidence from both vehicles. Pierce County investigators said they will hand their findings over to prosecutors for charging decisions once the work is finished. For now, the sheriff's office says the primary suspect will be booked and processed for DUI, and investigators are still reviewing statements and any available video from the area.
Neighborhood impact
Pacific Avenue near the crash site was tied up for hours as fire crews knocked down the flames and tow trucks hauled off the wrecks, creating headaches for drivers trying to get to and from SR 512. Deputies urged people to avoid the stretch while emergency crews wrapped up their work and the roadway could be safely reopened.
The sheriff's office says the investigation is still active and that more details will be released as they are confirmed. Traffic and access in the immediate area remained disrupted until crews finished clearing the scene.
