Renton, Washington – Officer Sustains Minor Injuries After Suspect Flees, Crashes Into Home

Renton, Washington  (September 5, 2019) – An officer sustained minor injuries in an incident involving a runaway suspect crashing a pickup truck into a home in the area of South 34th Avenue and Main Avenue South on Thursday morning. The officer was taken to Valley Medical Center for evaluation. A passenger in the back seat of the truck was also transported to the same hospital for evaluation, but has since been released.

Police were called to the area around 7:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a pickup truck being parked in the street since 1 a.m. Police detained the driver after finding drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. As the officer was still leaning inside the vehicle, the passenger went into the driver’s seat and hit the gas. The vehicle struck several other cars and ended up crashing into a house. The house was reported to have sustained cosmetic damage only. The passenger who drove the car was arrested on charges of assaulting an officer, DUI, and warrants.

About Vehicle Accidents

From data gathered on car crashes into buildings, the cause was usually operator error or pedal error. For operator errors, drivers usually accelerated or were at high speeds, or were in the wrong gear. Pedal error means that drivers stepped on the gas when they meant to step on the brake. Other, smaller factors for crashing into buildings 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.

Because of the crash site, the threat of injuries applies not only to the occupants of the car but also people inside the building. Damage can also be done to either the car or the struck building. 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. If you have however become a victim of a vehicle accident of any sort, we extend our sympathies and compassion.

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