Graham, Washington – Van Crashes Into Dumpster at 88th Avenue East

Graham, Washington (December 7, 2019) – A speeding van being chased by a Pierce County deputy crashed through a fence, a pile of firewood and into a dumpster off 88th Avenue East on early Saturday morning. While the driver fled the scene the use of K9 unit eventually led to the discovery of the driver in the yard of a residence on 211th Street Court East. He appears to be uninjured in the crash and has been arrested. Fortunately no other vehicles were involved and no other injuries were reported in the incident.

According to the report, the van sped up by a deputy in a Safeway parking lot around 1 a.m. The deputy gave chase and reported that the suspect reached speeds of 90 mph and almost drove off the roadway by suddenly braking. The deputy stopped pursuit when the van turned onto 90th Avenue, but continued looking along 88th Avenue. The deputy found the crashed vehicle in an area near the 213th Street East, with witnesses reporting that the driver fled into a wooded area. K9 units in the area were called in to track the suspect and he was eventually found. The man was booked into King County Jail for an outstanding felony warrant, felony eluding, obstructing law enforcement, burglary and 2nd degree hit-and run.

About Vehicle Accidents

While this incident contains a criminal element, incidents of other causes can end up in injuries and fatalities. From data gathered from car crashes into buildings, the cause of the crash was usually operator error or pedal error. For operator errors, drivers usually accelerated, were at high speeds, or were driving in the wrong gear. For pedal errors, it meant that drivers stepped on the gas when they meant to step on the brake. Other, smaller factors are situation-based, such as driving under influence, traffic accidents, weather conditions or medical emergencies. A very small percentage are for people who intentionally ram buildings to commit theft. From these causes, lack of control is a common feature.

Aside from the usual types of injuries associated with car crashes, as demonstrated in this case, there is also the danger that structure being driven into presents risks for the occupants within the car. As always, we urge everyone to drive with caution and practice safe driving wherever you go. Doing so minimizes damage and injuries you can inflict not only on yourself, but on others as well.

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