Man rams patrol car, leaves path of destruction, police say

TUKWILA, Wash. — Police said a man who rammed a patrol car in Burien led them on a chase that crisscrossed south King County Sunday and left a trail of mayhem.

Police said the incident began when police received a report of someone prowling cars at Highline High School in Burien.

When officers arrived, the driver rammed a King County deputy and drove off, police said.

Police said because the driver was so aggressive, they began a pursuit.

Investigators said the driver slammed into three cars, including one driven by victim Julie Stratton.

“I saw what looked like a crumpled mass of blue metal hurling towards me,” said Stratton.

After the crash, witness Debbie Kurtze saw the man run off and made sure police knew where to find him.

“I'm an American.  I'm not going to let someone do that. I’ll do what I can to chase them down,” said Kurtze.

Witness Sherri Malone said she saw the man jump over a fence into her back yard.

“He told me some lame story about a shortcut to his girlfriend’s house.  I said, ‘I don't care. Get off my property.’  The cops heard me, and they came at us from all sides,” said Malone.

The man ended up in Mark Harrington’s yard.  Harrington said the man told him he had just had his third DUI and needed to escape police.

“He's like, ‘I'm a good guy, hardworking. I need to get out of here. I need a break,’ and I wasn't having it,” said Harrington.

Police took the man into custody at South 148th Street near 42nd Avenue South in Tukwila.

The King County Sheriff Office said the 27-year-old man has a long criminal history.

Investigators said he had stolen goods in the car and may be charged with felony assault for ramming the deputy’s patrol car.

No one was seriously hurt.

KIRO