Carjacking suspect arrested in Marysville after leading troopers on multi-county chase on I-5
Suspect arrested after stealing vehicle, driving wrong way on I-5 for miles
WSP troopers arrested a suspect after the driver stole a vehicle in Tacoma, then drove the wrong way on I-5, later crashing with another vehicle in Marysville where the suspect was then arrested.
MARYSVILLE, Wash. - Washington State Patrol arrested a 27-year-old suspect after they say he stole a woman's Toyota Prius in Tacoma, then lead troopers on a multi-county chase Tuesday evening.
According to WSP, troopers responded to a stolen vehicle situation around 3:30 p.m. on I-5 in Tacoma when the suspect got out of his pick-up after getting a flat tire. He then stole a fulled a woman from her Prius and drove off.
WSP public information officer Trooper Rocky Oliphant, the suspect drove the car 80 miles from where they allegedly stole it from in Tacoma before ending up in Marysville. At one point, the driver was going the wrong way on I-5 for miles, reaching speed up to 80 to 120 mph.
WSP troopers followed the suspect in the northbound lanes of I-5 to avoid a possible collision by the suspect. Troopers were able to get the suspect stopped after WSP laid spike strips, finally stopping the Prius. The suspect then hit another vehicle, got out and attempted to take the other vehicle, but since their doors were locked, he was unsuccessful. Oliphant said no one was injured in the crash and the suspect was taken into custody.
"It’s a very helpless feeling seeing a care go the wrong way on I-5, knowing that a collision happens it's likely going to be someones loved one who dies from it or get serious injuries that are life-altering that will change the course of their life forever," Oliphant told Q13 News. "It’s a hard thing to watch someone going the wrong way [on I-5]. We see a lot of horrible things in our career we have to do a lot of next of kin notifications and so when you're on the opposite side of I-5 trying to get a guy stopped - hoping he doesn’t hit somebody- it’s a terrifying moment for law enforcement.
The suspect was booked on several charges including suspicion of driving under the influence.
This is a developing story.
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