The man is accused of driving 135 mph in the wrong direction on I-5.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — When authorities from several counties arrested a driver who they said didn’t want to stop for them, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said the state’s “most dangerous driver” was off the streets.
“This is not someone who is safe to be on our roadways,” Sanders said of the suspect’s driving behavior.
Saturday morning’s high-speed chase, that included a driver headed the wrong direction on Interstate 5, spanned over 30 miles from Lacey to Federal Way, according to Sanders.
Andrey Lupulyak, who prosecutors say has been arrested dozens of times, led police on the pursuit that began early Saturday morning. Sanders attempted to stop him for car prowling.
Sanders said he stopped chasing after Lupulyak when the 33-year-old drove north in the southbound lanes of I-5.
“I’m not chasing him down the highway. I don’t have a death wish,” the sheriff explained.
He relied on neighboring agencies and a Washington State Patrol’s airplane to track the driver until he stopped and got out on foot in Federal Way about an hour later.
Court records reveal Lupulyak’s extensive criminal background, including 14 prior felony convictions. Three of those convictions resulted in state prison sentences: vehicular assault in 2015, auto theft and attempting to elude in 2017, and a felony DUI charge earlier this year where he served less than a month.
Lupulyak had been released on probation in February but failed to check in with his probation officer, resulting in an outstanding warrant.
During Saturday’s court appearance, the judge highlighted the severity of his actions.
“You repeatedly drove over 100 miles per hour on I-5, going the wrong direction,” Judge Allyson Zipp said before setting bail at $100,000.
She said if Lupulyak posts bail, he cannot drive until the case is resolved.
Investigators said the vehicle he was driving had been stolen, equipped with stolen license plates from another car, and that Lupulyak possessed drugs and was believed to be under the influence during the incident.
Sheriff Sanders emphasized the potential catastrophic consequences of the wrong-way driving.
“That’s a scenario where no one survives that car crash. When you’re going 60 mph and somebody hits you at 120 mph? Everyone dies in that.”
No injuries were reported during the multi-agency pursuit.
