PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A 22-year-old man was arrested Saturday after fleeing from deputies, crashing into another vehicle, and attempting to escape on foot near State Route 512.
The incident began at 5:22 p.m. when a deputy tried to stop a vehicle near the Alta Apartments on Steel Street South in Tacoma. The driver failed to yield, speeding northbound until traffic forced him to slow, allowing deputies to deploy a tracking device before discontinuing the pursuit.
Minutes later, deputies found the vehicle stopped at South 84th Street and Yakima Avenue. The suspect was attempting to remove the tracking device when deputies approached; he jumped back into the vehicle and fled again, turning north on Pacific Avenue South.
The vehicle was involved in a collision with another car near South 110th Street and Pacific Avenue South at approximately 5:29 p.m. The suspect then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, but deputies apprehended him shortly thereafter near SR 512.
A firearm was observed inside the suspect's vehicle, which will be seized pending a search warrant. Investigators will also evaluate the suspect for driving under the influence.
One of the vehicles in the collision caught fire, and four occupants from the other vehicle were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including two children. A deputy sustained an injury and was also taken to the hospital.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and other agencies are assisting with the ongoing investigation. Authorities urge the public to avoid the area as the scene is processed.