A stolen box truck led Pierce County deputies on an hour-long pursuit through Bonney Lake before ending in a crash, with newly released dash cam footage showing how deputies used PIT maneuvers to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Crash Stacks Kia on Top of Ford Mustang
How the Pursuit Began
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies spotted the truck traveling on 120th Street East just after midnight on October 12 and attempted a traffic stop. Instead of pulling over, the driver accelerated, beginning a pursuit through dark residential backroads. Deputies noted the truck’s top-heavy design made it particularly unstable at high speeds, prompting them to use multiple PIT maneuvers to safely end the chase.
A Tense Extraction
After the truck came to a stop, smoke began coming from the engine compartment as the cab’s structure prevented both occupants from exiting on their own. Deputies broke through the windshield to extract the two men from the vehicle before the situation could escalate further.
Injuries and Charges
Both men were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The driver, a 42-year-old man, faces multiple charges including possession of stolen property, felony evasion, and assaulting an officer. His passenger, a 38-year-old man, was already wanted on outstanding warrants and was held for further medical evaluation before facing prosecution. As with any pending case, both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
A Reminder of Pursuit Risks
Sheriff’s officials say the incident highlights the inherent danger of high-speed pursuits, particularly involving unstable or oversized vehicles, and noted that the outcome could have been far more serious than it was.