Chain reaction crash on I-5 in Tacoma closes freeway for hours

TACOMA, Wash. — State trooper Bryce Schramm said the decision to ram a suspect running from police and driving west in the eastbound lanes of State Route 16 near Gig Harbor came at the last second.

“I just happened to be at the right place at the right time and stop the vehicle,” Schramm said.

According to charges, Pranil Prasad and Nicholas Harman were spotted prowling vehicles in Lakewood early Sunday morning when Prasad, driving a stolen truck, ran from police by driving north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5. Schramm was all the way in Gig Harbor when he heard the chase over his two-way radio.

“So I was en route to the area in case they came on to State Route 16, which is my primary area,” said Schramm.

Troopers said during the chase Prasad left I-5 driving on surface streets before getting back on Highway 16 and again, drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic.

Schramm says he was there as Prasad and Harman crossed the eastbound Tacoma Narrows bridge heading west and made the decision to ram the truck.

“This guy was not going to stop. He’d done this multiple times already and was continuing to go. I saw him in the road, he’s going the wrong way and I just got in his way and I was very lucky to be able to stop him and prevent a disaster,” Schramm said.

Schramm suffered only bumps and bruises.

Both men were arrested. Prasad was charged with vehicular assault and felony eluding. Harman was charged in connection with the car prowls.

More news from KIRO 7

• 'Spider season' leads to car in ditch in Oregon
• Eerie things going on at serial killer's childhood home in Tacoma
• Alaska Airlines new service animal rules will allow miniature horses
• One dead after crash in front of Beth's Cafe on Aurora
• Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

Cox Media Group