Assault Charge For Man In Crash That Injured Pierce Deputy

TACOMA, WA - A 25-year-old man was charged Monday with vehicular assault in a crash that left a Pierce County deputy with a fractured vertebra.

Daniel R. Munguia was allegedly driving under the influence at the time of the crash, according to Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. Police say he blew a .107 on a breathalyzer test at the scene.

The crash happened around 10 p.m. Thursday along Pacific Avenue in Parkland. According to police, deputy Sydney Davis was driving northbound along Pacific Avenue, following behind two other police cars. Near 127th Street South, Munguia was allegedly turning into the northbound lanes from the center lane when he allegedly hit Davis' car.

Munguia told police he didn't see Davis' car when he was merging onto Pacific Avenue, according to Lindquist. Davis reportedly had her sirens on, as did the two patrol cars that preceded her.

Davis was taken to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.

Munguia is being held at the Pierce County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Image courtesy Pierce County Sheriff's Office