A suspected drunk driver in Washington state sparked a high-speed pursuit after fleeing a traffic stop, only for deputies to halt the vehicle using a specialized grappler device.
The Chase Begins
On Thursday evening around 9 p.m., a Thurston County Sheriff’s deputy in Olympia attempted to pull over a driver who had run a red light and multiple stop signs at high speed. The suspect fled the scene, driving against traffic before merging onto northbound Interstate 5 without lights, reaching speeds of 90 mph.
Grappler Deployment Brings Vehicle to Halt
The deputy caught up to the fleeing car and activated a grappler mounted on the patrol vehicle. Dashcam footage captures the moment the device deploys a net to ensnare the suspect’s rear left wheel, causing the car to spin across three lanes.
The vehicle grinds against the highway’s center barrier, sparking dramatically, before veering into a semi-trailer. Within seconds, it stops completely. The deputy radios, “Good grapple. Good grapple.”
Grapplers, adopted widely by law enforcement since around 2020, offer a safer alternative to PIT maneuvers by tangling a car’s wheels with cables, reducing rollover risks.
Negotiation and Surrender
Bodycam video from 15 minutes later shows deputies with K-9 units negotiating for 20 minutes to coax the suspect from the car. A small explosion and smoke signal the use of a stingball distraction device, which releases rubber pellets.
The suspect soon crawls out the window, kneels on the ground, and surrenders as deputies approach for arrest. Officials note he appeared highly intoxicated with a facial injury.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders detailed the incident, confirming charges of DUI, reckless driving, and attempting to elude. The suspect was booked into the county jail.
