SUMNER, Wash. — A driver fleeing from a rollover collision who allegedly attempted to drown a police dog after running across a busy highway is in custody, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) said in a release.
The department says troopers responded around 3 a.m. to northbound State Route 167 near 24th Street in Sumner for reports of a collision. The WSP said a red Dodge Charger was struck by an "allegedly speeding white Toyota sedan," which caused the Toyota to roll several times into a ditch. The driver of the Dodge was not injured, WSP added.
The WSP said it found the driver of the Toyota had an outstanding warrant for domestic violence assault and attempted to take them into custody. The driver fled on foot and ran into the side of a vehicle that was driving near the scene, before continuing to run across the highway away from the scene.
Witnesses helped officers find the suspect hiding in the underbrush on the south side of the highway, according to the WSP. The suspect once again fled on foot after he was combative with officers trying to take them into custody.
Local agencies including the Lakewood Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff's Office, Puyallup Police Department and the Sumner Police Department were called to assist in searching for the suspect.
The suspect was eventually found near a pond and he fought with officers before he tried to force a K-9 underwater, the WSP said in the release.
The suspect was taken into custody on the domestic violence warrant as well as suspicion of DUI, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, harming a police dog, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice and driving while a license is revoked.
