Thurston County deputies arrest 8-time felon after high-speed wrong-way chase

An eight-time felon who was passed out behind the wheel led the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) on a high-speed pursuit through oncoming traffic Saturday night.

As a TCSO deputy was patrolling near Meridian Road in Thurston County, he located a stopped car blocking the roadway, TCSO announced.

Convicted felon leads Thurston County deputies on dangerous pursuit

When the deputy contacted the driver, he noticed drug paraphernalia in the suspect’s lap, and he was “dozing off.”

The driver was being uncooperative and unwilling to answer questions. After he refused to exit the vehicle, he rolled the window up, turned the car on, and fled the scene at a high rate of speed down the wrong way down the road.

TCSO deputies pursued the suspect and attempted to grapple the suspect, but he crashed into a guardrail. Once the suspect continued his attempt to flee, deputies pinned the car to prevent any further risks. Still, the driver refused to exit the vehicle. K9 Asher responded to the scene to negotiate with the driver, who eventually surrendered.

TCSO noted the suspect is an eight-time convicted felon for auto theft, possession of a stolen car, theft, second-degree assault, hit-and-run with injury, and eight gross misdemeanor convictions. The suspect has a suspended license and is required to have an ignition interlock device in the car.

A search warrant was obtained to seize drug paraphernalia from the vehicle. TCSO also took two vials of blood from the suspect for lab testing.

The suspect was booked for DUI, attempting to elude, driving with a suspended license in the third degree, and operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock device.

“Great proactive police work to remove dangerous drivers like this from our roadways,” TCSO Sheriff Derek Sanders stated.

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