Suspect Drinks Vodka After High-Speed Chase Running From The Cops

Posted • January 27, 2025: On Saturday morning, Thurston County deputies chased a suspect in a stolen car, reaching speeds over 100 mph. Shortly after deputies were told of a stolen SUV in the Grand Mound area, a deputy spotted the stolen SUV running a red light in Tumwater. A deputy assigned to the Traffic Unit pulled the SUV over and asked the driver to get out. A moment later, the driver opened the door slightly before shutting the door and driving away. The driver then got on I-5 South, where deputies said he reached over 100 mph. Deputies said the driver exited the interstate at Maytown Road and continued to run at speed into the 80s. After the road was clear, a deputy performed the PIT maneuver, but the driver recovered and continued to run. Another deputy used their grapple to disable the SUV, but was unsuccessful because it got damaged. A second PIT maneuver was completed, and the SUV was pinned.

According to the sheriff, the driver got out of the SUV and began drinking vodka from a bottle and ignoring the deputy’s commands to surrender. With K9 in hand, deputies warned the suspect to lie on the ground. The suspect then throws the bottle across the road and lays on the ground. Deputies arrested the suspect, who turned out to be a person TCSO chased in October 2024 and had recently been released from prison. The passenger told deputies that the suspect was drinking from the bottle of vodka during the chase. The suspect was booked into Thurston County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, attempting to elude a pursuing police car and driving with a suspended license. The suspect was also cited for running a red light, public intoxication and littering.