Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders has been cleared to do some work for the department, although he is still under medical care for a head injury, the Sheriff's Office announced Monday.
Sanders was injured in a two-car crash April 2.
"Under doctor's order, Sheriff Sanders is cleared to return to administrative work on an 'as needed/limited' basis today," the update reads.
It goes on to say that he is still under care for a head injury suffered during the collision, but is expected to make a full recovery.
The crash happened about 3:30 p.m. April 2. Sanders was driving his department vehicle south on Lawrence Lake Road Southeast when a pickup truck traveling east on 153rd Avenue Southeast pulled in front of him, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Sanders was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for his injuries, although he was listed in satisfactory condition at the time. Sanders was released from the hospital the night of April 2.
The Yelm pickup truck driver, believed to be Zachary Alan Roberge, was not injured. On April 4, 29-year-old Roberge attended a preliminary appearance in Thurston County Superior Court on suspicion of one count of vehicular assault.
Washington State Patrol troopers believe Roberge was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, and reportedly drew two vials of Roberge's blood after being granted a search warrant by Pierce County Superior Court Judge Gretchen Leanderson.
The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has referred the case to the Lewis County PAO to avoid a conflict of interest. Roberge's arraignment is scheduled for April 18.
