TACOMA, Wash. — Pierce County deputies arrested a suspect who allegedly crashed into nine vehicles and two apartment units.
On Monday at about 2:30 a.m., a deputy noticed a vehicle was traveling erratically with no license plate on 96th Street East and Pacific Avenue, according to the the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
The deputy discovered that Tacoma police officers had chased after the vehicle earlier.
When the deputy tried to perform a traffic stop, the suspect began to speed off.
“One of our graveyard deputies recognized a vehicle that was reckless,” said Carly Cappetto, public information officer for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. “With its reckless nature, it was clearly obvious that it had been driving reckless for several hours that night.”
“This subject was clearly a multi-offender. He wasn’t afraid of running from police and it was really a matter of time he would’ve killed somebody if he hadn’t been taken off the road,” she added.
Deputies chased the suspect, but were not able to catch up to the suspect before the crash happened, investigator said.
The suspect crashed into nine vehicles, totaling several of them, and damaged two apartment units, officials said.
“It hit a boulder and the car did at least three or four flips. It was crazy loud. My daughter was affected by it. She was scared,” said Demarkus Smith, a witness.
Deputies later spotted the vehicle flipped on its side at an apartment complex on East McKinley Avenue.
The 36-year-old driver was arrested, while a 23-year-old woman, who was not using a seat belt, suffered serious injuries.
Smith told KIRO 7 News that the driver was under the influence and his actions left many families struggling after their cars were totaled.
He said many people in the area depend on their vehicles to get to work and pay the bills.
“I’m thinking about all the people’s cars affected,” Smith said. “We don’t ever want no drunk driving, especially when people are affected, and can be hurt and can be even killed. That’s over the line.”
Pierce County investigators told KIRO 7 News that they are looking into whether the driver was driving under the influence.
The man was arrested for Felony Eluding and Reckless Endangerment to his passenger.
The investigation is ongoing.
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