Lacey, Washington – Chase Ends in Suspect’s Car Crashing into a House

Lacey, Washington (January 2, 2020) – A police chase on early Thursday morning ended in the suspect’s car striking a parked vehicle and crashing into the roof of a home in the area where Yelm Highway Southeast and Ruddell Road Southeast. According to the report from The Olympian, the suspect was injured in the crash and was taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital for treatment. Fortunately none of the residents were harmed and no other injuries were reported.

The incident began around 2 a.m. when a Yelm police officer attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle without a license plate on West Yelm Avenue. The suspect fled and prompted a high-speed pursuit. It was estimated that the suspect was driving at speeds of 120 miles per hour when his vehicle struck an unattended vehicle, causing it be launched into the air and onto a rood of a house, before falling back to the ground on its wheels. The suspect was extricated from the vehicle and arrested. The crash damaged the suspect’s SUV, the other vehicle and the residence.

About Vehicle Accidents

While this accident contains a criminal element, accidents of far more common cause can be just as dangerous. From data gathered on car crashes into buildings, the cause was usually operator error or pedal error. For operator errors, drivers usually accelerated or were at high speeds, or were in the wrong gear. Pedal error means that drivers stepped on the gas when they meant to step on the brake. Other, smaller factors for crashing into buildings are situation-based, such as driving under influence, traffic accidents, weather conditions or medical emergencies. A very small percentage are for people who intentionally ram buildings to commit theft. From these causes, lack of control is a common feature.

Because of the crash site, the threat of injuries applies not only to the occupants of the car but also people inside the building. Damage can also be done to either the car or the struck building. As always, we urge everyone to drive with caution and practice safe driving wherever you go. Doing so minimizes damage and injuries you can inflict not only on yourself, but on others as well. If you have however become a victim of a vehicle accident of any sort, we extend our sympathies and compassion.

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