Address concerns about prosecution after a serious accident

SPANAWAY, Washington. – A police chase in Pierce County ended with an accident and a woman's life in critical condition.

The accident occurred Tuesday evening around 6:30 p.m. south of Spanaway Lake on Spanaway Loop Road South.

Investigators say the suspect refused to stop due to expired registration, then ran a red light and struck two innocent vehicles.

At this point, officers said they began pursuing the suspect.

“The sergeant is able to get alongside the vehicle and perform a pit maneuver to bring it to a stop and end the pursuit. As the sergeant maneuvered the vehicle into the pit lane, it spun, struck the curb and crashed into the bushes on the side of the road,” said Sergeant Darren Moss of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

Two of the suspects were arrested, but a third person was thrown from the vehicle and trapped underneath it. Rescue workers lifted the car and freed the person. This third person is in critical condition in the hospital.

Since the state's pursuit law was changed in June, there have been several high-profile traffic accidents.

About two weeks ago, a woman killed her passenger when she sped away after an attempted traffic stop near Seattle, investigators said.

And in July, the Thurston County Sheriff reported at least three chases that ended in accidents. One of the chases, which involved a drunk driver, left an innocent bystander injured.

“They want the police to let the matter go, but not hold the person who is actually in the wrong accountable. That's what they're asking for. That hasn't worked in the last two and a half years because the death toll has been even higher,” Moss said.

Moss said if the situation is too dangerous, officers will not pursue, but he said it would have been more dangerous to let the suspect run in Tuesday night's incident.

“The driver said, 'I'm going to run the red light and shake the cop off.' Well, he hit two other vehicles and injured someone. If that's your cousin, your sister, your spouse or your child in the other vehicle, what are we supposed to do?” Moss said.

The driver told Pierce County investigators he fled because he had outstanding warrants for his arrest throughout the county. He now faces hit-and-run, eluding and assault charges.

The woman who was thrown from the car was not wearing a seatbelt, investigators said.

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