People working at GoldBoyz in downtown Puyallup shared surveillance video with KING 5 that shows a driver crashing head-on into a moving, occupied police car.
PUYALLUP, Wash. — Friday night marked the end of what law enforcement refers to as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” a period notorious for a spike in fatal crashes. But in downtown Puyallup, a routine DUI stop turned into a dramatic and dangerous incident that left witnesses stunned and police grateful no lives were lost.
Paris Ryan, who works near the scene, said the aftermath was hard to ignore when he arrived at work Saturday morning.
“Came to work today with a little bit of a different scene — a sign on the ground, cone by the sidewalk, spray paint on the concrete,” he said. “Was a little bit confused about what happened.”
Surveillance footage from GoldBoyz Auto Sales, across the street, would soon provide answers.
“Super scary,” Ryan said.
The video shows a police cruiser driving into frame from the left side of the screen — and on the right, a wrong-way driver. They crashed head-on. Puyallup police said officers had been searching for the suspect moments before the crash. Authorities believe the driver intentionally rammed the police vehicle, which burst into flames. Smoke can be seen billowing from the cruiser.
Inside were an officer and a K-9 unit — both escaped unharmed, according to the department.
“Oh, good, that’s good. They weren’t hurt. Wow,” Ryan reacted.
Police told KING 5 the driver was a convicted felon, and they believe the situation could have ended far worse. According to officers, the pursuit began when the suspect was spotted driving the wrong way on a one-way street in downtown Puyallup.
“We get a ton of people from all across the country that come up here for the Washington State Fair,” said Ryan. “So yeah, it’s a pretty high-traffic area.”
Ryan, who works at a neighboring Ford dealership, recognized the model involved.
“That’s an Explorer. Ford Explorer? Oh yeah,” he said, adding, “Good thing for their Interceptors being such, such durable vehicles.”
He credited that same model, a Ford Police Interceptor, for shielding both the officer and K-9 from serious harm.
“There’s a reason why they use them,” Ryan said.
No further injuries were reported.
The suspect was booked into the Pierce County Jail, and his car was seized. Officers said they believe they saw drugs, guns and ammunition inside.
