** Police chase ends with crash, closes US 2 for hours
A police chase that started in Snohomish ended in a crash on U. S. 2, leading to the highway's closure for over five hours. The pursuit began around 6 a. m.
when deputies investigated a report of a stolen vehicle. Spike strips were deployed to halt the suspect's escape, resulting in a crash that injured three deputies and the driver of the stolen car. The suspect was transported to the hospital and is expected to face several charges, including second-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. This incident has reignited debate over police pursuit policies, especially in light of previous pursuits that ended tragically. Lawmakers in Olympia are actively discussing revisions to pursuit standards, attempting to balance public safety with the need for effective law enforcement.
The prolonged closure of U. S. 2 caused significant traffic delays, affecting commuters in both directions, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in navigating pursuit protocols.