Suspect vehicle catches fire during police chase in Gig Harbor

GIG HARBOR, Wash. — A police chase ended Saturday evening after the suspect’s vehicle started smoking and then erupted in fire.

A Gig Harbor police officer was patrolling the area of 5500 Olympic Drive when they encountered a suspicious vehicle outside a store shortly after 10:00 p.m.

The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop as the driver was exiting the parking lot after a records check showed that the vehicle was stolen.

Instead of stopping for the officer, the driver sped out of the parking lot. At this point, the officer was unable to pursue the stolen vehicle due to new laws.

The stolen vehicle continued onto Olympic Drive, swinging very wide into the oncoming northbound lane of traffic.

Another officer, unaware of the fleeing vehicle, happened to be traveling northbound on Olympic Village at the same time and was struck by the suspect vehicle.

Since the incident turned into an apparent vehicular assault, the on-duty supervisor approved the pursuit of the suspects in accordance with the recently changed laws.

The suspect led officers east on Hollycroft Street before quickly darting into a neighborhood.

The pursuit continued until the suspect vehicle started smoking and caught on fire. The vehicle then continued straight through a yard before driving over an embankment and into a ravine.

The driver escaped from the stolen car and fled on foot. A K-9 unit was called to the scene and tracked the suspect to a nearby trailer. Officers surrounded the trailer and the suspect eventually surrendered.

The 25-year-old Gig Harbor man was booked into the Pierce County Jail on charges of vehicular assault, hit and run, eluding a police vehicle, burglary second degree, possession of a stolen vehicle, obstructing a public servant, and a no-bail felony warrant issued by the Department of Corrections.

The officer in the vehicle that was struck sustained minor injuries and was treated at a nearby hospital.

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