Lynnwood, Washington – Suspect Strikes Police Vehicle During Chase

Lynnwood, Washington (April 25, 2020) – A suspect has been arrested after attempting to hit a woman with his vehicle, hitting an officer with his vehicle’s door and striking a police officer’s vehicle in an incident on Saturday morning. According to KIRO 7 News, no injuries occurred in the incident.

The incident started after 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, when police received a report of a man who attempted to strike a woman using his vehicle at the 76 gas station on the corner of 196th Street Southwest and Highway 99. Fortunately, the woman wasn’t struck, and officers caught up with the suspect in the parking lot of a JoAnn Fabrics store. The suspect refused to get out of the vehicle and drove off, hitting an officer with his van’s door and crashing into a sergeant’s vehicle. The man was finally caught when several police vehicles pinned the suspect’s vehicle in the parking lot of a strip mall on the 22300 block of Highway 99. The suspect has been taken into custody for investigation of eluding police and hit and run, among others.

About Vehicle Accidents

While this incident involves a criminal element, it should be noted that collisions of other causes can also result in injuries and fatalities. In 2017, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)  have reported a total of 120, 993 car accidents. Of those accidents, 525 were fatal and 34, 311 were possible or suspected of injuries. There are several types of collision that may happen, such as side collision, rollover collision, and head-on collision. Of the types of car accidents, head-on collisions are considered the most dangerous due to the circumstances – two cars are heading towards each other, with a great amount of force being experienced by all parties when the impact happens. While only 2% of car accidents are head-on collisions, they account for more than 10% of car-accident related injuries. These injuries are quite dangerous as most of them are head, spine or neck-related, including spinal injuries, brain injuries, paralysis, broken bones, and whiplash. Similarly, victims of side collisions and rollover collisions also suffer may also suffer head and neck injuries, though the risk is lower in these types of collisions. In rollover collisions, the car will come to rest on its side or roof, resulting in a dangerous situation which passengers might need to be extricated from. In side collisions, the greatest risk comes to the passenger on the particular side that received the impact. No matter the type of accident, all crashes are bound to cause a dreadful situation for all involved.

We urge all drivers to be careful while behind the wheel. When in a location where hazards such as poor illumination, rough roads or construction materials are present, be especially cautious. By doing this, we can ensure our safety as well as the safety of others in the nearby area.

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