DUI drivers pose a huge danger to our community. Figuring out how to safely remove them from the road when they refuse to pull over for a traffic stop is another issue.
On January 13th, around 2:30 p.m., one of our traffic deputies’ attention was diverted to an SUV with no license plates. As he followed, the deputy observed some recognizable DUI indicators of not maintaining lane and not abiding to basic traffic laws while driving. He attempts a traffic stop, but the vehicle continues on and refuses to stop.
The deputy knows the vehicle needs to be stopped before someone gets hurt. As soon as it’s safe, the deputy performs a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique). The vehicle is safely stopped, and the 46-year-old suspect was taken into custody. A bag of drugs could be seen sitting on the driver’s seat, and drug paraphernalia was located on the suspect.
The suspect was booked into the Pierce County Jail for DUI, eluding, driving with a suspended license, and two counts of residential burglary, since there was probable cause for his arrest from two days prior from another incident.
We are sadly seeing more and more drug-related DUIs. Please be responsible and do not drive under the influence of any substance or alcohol. Another win for our traffic deputies. Nice work.