MILL CREEK — A man suspected of trying to outrun police and a Mill Creek officer trying to stop him were injured Friday morning after a fiery crash at an intersection near Mill Creek.
The officer, who has been on the Mill Creek force for two years, was taken to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett where he was treated and released.
“He’s fine,” Mill Creek officer Ian Durkee said. “He just sustained minor injuries. He’s home with his family.”
The suspect — an Everett man, 52 — also was taken to Providence. His condition was not immediately available, but his injuries reportedly were not life threatening. A Lake Stevens woman, 29, was his passenger. She was taken to Swedish/Edmonds hospital for a medical evaluation.
Mountlake Terrace police first tried to pull over a 1994 Jeep Cherokee on I-5 near 220th Street SW, but the driver wouldn’t stop.
The Jeep wound up driving through Mill Creek.
The injured officer was looking for a spot to deploy spike strips when a collision occurred between the police car and suspect’s vehicle. The crash happened at the intersection of 35th Avenue SE and 180th Street SE about 1:20 a.m.
The officer’s emergency lights were on, Washington State Patrol trooper Mark Francis said.
“The exact dynamics of the collision are still under investigation,” Francis said.
Mountlake Terrace police will determine what allegations the suspect will face, Durkee said.
After the collision, the Jeep hit the curb, vaulted into the air, struck a power pole and landed on its side before catching fire.
It could have been worse.
“Fortunately the officer wasn’t T-boned,” Durkee said.
The patrol car received front-end damage.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
