Fleeing Suspect Causes Crash Near South Hill Mall: Police

PUYALLUP, WA - A gory car accident outside the South Hill Mall Thursday afternoon began when an officer stopped a woman for jaywalking, police say.

At around 12:30 p.m., an officer stopped a woman who was allegedly jaywalking across Meridian Street near the SR 512 on-ramps. During that stop, an employee from the adjacent Sound Credit Union asked the officer for help dealing with a strange man in the bank's bathroom.

As the officer approached the bank's entrance, the man came out. Then, the woman who the officer had stopped for jaywalking approached and began arguing with the man. Police said they both appeared to be under the influence.

When the officer tried to detain the man, a 32-year-old from Sumner, to cool the situation down, he ran and got into a nearby pickup truck. Another officer arrived and followed the man as he drove south toward the South Hill Mall. Near the intersection of 37th Avenue, the man ran a red light and hit another vehicle. The man then got out of the truck and ran.

Police chased him down and took him into custody. He was taken to Good Samaritan for his injuries, and was then taken to jail on suspicion of vehicular assault, motor vehicle theft, and driving under the influence.

There were two women in the car that the man hit. The passenger was taken to Tacoma General for treatment, and the driver was treated at the scene.

Image via Pierce County IAFF726