BMW driver reaches speeds close to 130 mph during I-5 pursuit from Federal Way to Lakewood
Apr 4, 2026, 2:02 PM
State troopers say the driver of this BMW sedan hit speeds close to 130 mph as he tried to outrun police on southbound I-5 from Federal Way to Lakewood early Saturday morning. (Photo: Washington State Patrol)
(Photo: Washington State Patrol)
A driver who thought he could outrun state troopers by driving 130 miles per hour across the King-Pierce County line will have some time to think about his reckless actions, after police arrested him in Lakewood.
Early Saturday morning, a Washington state trooper based in King County observed a grey, four-door BMW sedan at a high rate of speed on southbound I-5 in the Federal Way area.
The driver passed the trooper at an estimated 120 miles per hour.
He was also weaving across several lanes of the freeway.
During the high-speed pursuit, the driver shredded the right-rear tire and also somehow sheared the rear bumper from the BMW. (Photo: Washington State Patrol)
The trooper decided, since traffic was fairly light at the time, that it would be safe to pursue the BMW.
A chase ensued, with the driver of the BMW hitting speeds even higher.
Troopers say by the time he crossed the county line into Pierce County near Fife, he was was going close to 130 mph.
Pierce County-based troopers joined the pursuit as the BMW kept driving southbound on the freeway.
He continued into Lakewood.
Troopers processing the scene after a driver attempted to elude officers in a two-county, high-speed chase. (Photo: Washington State Patrol)
At that point, the troopers were able to get the sedan stopped, as the driver was turning around near Joint Base Lewis McChord, in an attempt to head back toward Tacoma on northbound I-5.
In the effort to elude the pursuing officers, the driver shredded the right rear tire of the sedan. Somehow during the chase, the car’s rear bumper also sheared off the vehicle.
No one was hurt in the incident.
Officers arrested the male driver and a passenger.
