Thurston County deputy hit by fleeing truck

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — The driver of a truck knocked a Thurston County deputy to the ground when he decided to flee during a traffic stop.

The Sheriff’s Office said that about 1 a.m. Thursday, a deputy stopped a flatbed truck in the 160 block of Nisqually Cutoff Road Southeast, believing the driver may be a wanted person.

The driver stopped and was identified as someone with a felony warrant.

Police said when the driver was told to step from the truck, he started the truck, and rapidly accelerated and the deputy was struck by a protruding portion of the flatbed and knocked to the ground.

The deputy pursued the truck on Martin Way, reaching speeds of 95 mph, and the truck reached southbound Interstate 5 at speeds up to 80 mph.

Another deputy attempted a PIT maneuver when the driver slammed on his brakes and then swerved into the patrol vehicle.

The truck then entered Highway 101 and then went onto Evergreen Way where officers deployed spike strips.

The driver then pulled into driveway, got out and went into a trailer.  Police said when he was ordered the come out by officers, he exited peacefully.

Police identified the man as 50-year-old Peter C. Peterson from the Olympia area.

He was booked into the Thurston County Jail on charges of two counts of second-degree assault and eluding.

The deputy who was hit had minor bruises and abrasions.

The patrol car that was hit had $5,000 damage. The deputy driving that car was not hurt.

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