South Sound News

Car catches fire after pursuit on I-5 in Pierce County

A car caught on fire after a pursuit on Interstate 5 in Pierce County early Friday morning, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

Just after midnight, a deputy saw a driver with noticeable signs of impairment.

When the deputy turned on their lights to pull the car over, the car stopped in the 12600 block of Pacific Avenue South.

As the deputy approached the car, the driver took off at a high rate of speed.

During the chase, the car lost one of its rear tires on northbound I-5.

When the driver slowed down, the deputy performed a PIT maneuver, which caused the car to spin around.

The car then went over an embankment onto I-5 from the 72nd Street offramp.

Lakewood police then attempted another PIT maneuver, which caused the car to stop.

Officers pulled the driver and passenger from the car, just before it ignited.

The driver was arrested for DUI and eluding.