Lakewood police chase ends with serious accident on Canyon Road

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. – A police chase that began in Lakewood ended in a serious crash Monday night.

The chase began in the area of ​​Steilacoom Boulevard and Lakeview Avenue in Lakewood and ended with a crash about 10 miles away at 116th Street East and Canyon Road East near Frederickson in Pierce County.

Lakewood police said they were on a chase when the suspect crashed his car into several other vehicles at the intersection. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, according to police.

“I thought someone had died for sure,” said Frank Hadaway, a local resident who witnessed the aftermath of the accident. “I mean, the road was closed. They don't normally do things like that. But I understood where the accident was.”

Central Pierce Fire and Rescue had several ambulances and fire trucks on scene when the accident occurred around 7:30 p.m.

Lakewood police said five vehicles and seven people were involved in the crash, including innocent bystanders. The suspect was taken to the hospital and then booked into jail.

Police said they did not know if anyone else had to be taken to the hospital.

The suspect was wanted for domestic violence, assault and kidnapping, police said. A patrol officer recognized him as a wanted suspect and the pursuit began.

Hadaway said it was unfortunate that people were hurt, but he believed police did the right thing.

“If the guy is speeding, you don't,” Hadaway said. “But, you know, domestic violence, kidnapping… So what do you do? Nothing. Just because you don't want to chase? What happens next?”

Hadaway was grateful to hear that there were no serious injuries.

“It was nice to know that there was no death of any kind and that they then caught the suspect,” Hadaway said.

Police did not provide any information on how fast the suspect was driving at the time of the accident. The affected section of Canyon Road was not fully reopened until an hour and a half after the accident.