One person died Sunday night in a multi-vehicle collision that followed a police pursuit from Yelm to Pierce County, Washington State Patrol trooper John Datillo posted on social media.
Troopers and a Washington State Department of Transportation crew responded to the scene of a multi-vehicle wreck blocking all of State Route 507 south of 312th Street, near Roy. The collision occurred while Yelm police officers were in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle.
Yelm officers had earlier spotted the vehicle speeding on Vail Road in Thurston County, driving about 80 miles per hour in a 50-mph zone. The vehicle fled when officers tried to initiate a traffic stop. A pursuit ensued down SR 507 and continued into Pierce County.
The driver lost control of the vehicle just south of 312th Street, entered the northbound lane, struck a vehicle headed south, and collided with the Yelm officer’s car back in the northbound lane.
Datillo said the driver of the fleeing vehicle was ejected during the collision. Despite lifesaving efforts of the officer involved, the driver died.
The two people from the southbound vehicle were transported to local hospitals in stable condition. The officer was also taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK.
The Yelm Police Department and Pierce County Medical Examiner could not be immediately reached for more information.
