Crime & Safety

POLICE: Drunk Driver Runs Over Mattress, Rescued From Car Fire

Authorities say a man returning from a bar shortly before 1 a.m., Thursday was so intoxicated that he didn't know anything was wrong.

A man had to be rescued from a burning car early Thursday after he apparently ran over a mattres and passed out, according to University Place Police.

Authorities got a call shortly after midnight of a car fire in the 2500 block of Grandview Drive West. Deputies arrived and found the vehicle burning from under its front end.

The driver was passed out with the doors locked, according to Interim Chief Mike Blair.

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"The driver was pulled out of the vehicle by force and evacuated from the car," he said. "Vehicle burns to a total loss."

Police determined that the motorist was driving home from a bar and ran over a discarded mattress that lodged up against the engine.

Find out what's happening in University Placefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The driver was so intoxicated "that he did not know what was wrong," Blair said, and passed out as the fire started.

The driver was arrested for DUI and booked into the Pierce County Jail.

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