SEATTLE'S MORNING NEWS

Video: Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders nearly T-boned by DUI driver in Tumwater

Jan 23, 2026, 10:15 AM

Dashcam video footage showed the moment a suspected drunk driver nearly T-boned Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders in Tumwater Thursday night.

Sanders posted the video on Facebook, showing a car blowing through a stop sign at what he estimated was double the speed limit.

“Tonight I was on my way to the station to obtain a search warrant for an unrelated case when a vehicle nearly T-boned me by blowing through a stop sign,” Sanders wrote.

After pulling the driver over, Sanders said he smelled a strong odor of alcohol and observed multiple alcoholic beverages inside the car with alcohol spilled on the passenger floorboard.

The driver was arrested for DUI and reckless driving.

Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries here. Follow Charlie on X and email him here

Seattle's Morning News

mariners rick rizzs retire...

Manda Factor

Retiring Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs on what went wrong in 2026 — and why he’s ‘really positive’ about next year

With nine games remaining in his 52-year broadcasting career, Rick Rizzs isn't ready to concede anything about the season or the joy of calling it.

1 day ago

wa gas gallon driver gasbuddy...

Manda Factor

WA drivers pay more than $5.57 a gallon for gas with no end in sight, GasBuddy analyst warns

GasBuddy warns WA drivers of record high gas prices with no relief in sight. Regular gas averages $5.57 a gallon in Seattle.

4 days ago

seattle 12th and jackson...

Charlie Harger

Harger: 3 months ago, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson promised to clean up 12th and Jackson. I went back Monday

It's human suffering on full display. The parks of North Beacon Hill, stretching down to 12th and Jackson. People clearly in need of help, clearly in danger.

5 days ago

teachers pay wa grades...

Charlie Harger

Harger: WA pays teachers top dollar for middling test scores. Maybe we’re grading the wrong thing

Top-tier pay. Record spending. Average results. Why Washington should offer families a real vocational track alongside the traditional college path.

6 days ago

mariners rick rizzs retire...

Manda Factor

‘I’m going to be a wreck’: Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs reflects on last road trip before retirement

The voice of the Seattle Mariners, Rick Rizzs, left this week for what will be the final road series of his broadcasting career that began 52 years ago.

8 days ago

9/11 new york twin towers seattle...

Charlie Harger

Seattle couple filmed the Twin Towers from 50 yards away on 9/11. Their tape became key evidence in terror trials. Now they’re telling the full story

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Seattle radio host Tami Michaels and her husband Guy Rosbrook were asleep on the 35th floor of the Millennium Hilton in lower Manhattan, directly across Church Street from the World Trade Center.

9 days ago

Video: Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders nearly T-boned by DUI driver in Tumwater