Sumner Police Blotter: Driver Hits Fence While on Hallucinogens, Fight at Child's First Birthday

FEB. 13, 2012

DUI

While traveling northbound on Valley Ave., an officer saw a Subaru Legacy pull through the intersection at Elm St. at a high rate of speed. It blew past him and crashed through the chain link fence at Quale-T Automotive.

The driver got out of his vehicle and started running toward the policeman. The officer immediately exited his vehicle and confronted the subject, who asked if he could borrow his police car. The officer held the subject away from him and asked if he was OK. The man said he needed to go to Tukwila, all while pushing and grabbing at the officer. He then ran away and jumped a fence into the yard of C&R Gutters.

The officer could not scale the fence and lost sight of the subject. The chain link fence was sharp and the officer hurt his arm trying to climb over it. He called for backup and returned to find the suspect vehicle smoldering – the engine had started to burn. The fire extinguisher he had was unsuccessful and East Pierce Fire & Rescue came in to take care of the blaze.

A fellow officer apprehended the suspect nearby and he was placed under arrest. The 20 year-old said that his name was “Light.” When asked what his last name was, he said, “Light.” He didn’t know his birthdate because he said his mom never told him what it was.

While in the back of the police car, the man made unsolicited comments to the officer about how much he loved smoking marijuana. He was unable to sit still and spoke continuously, going from yelling to crying at random.

He had not been drinking but admitted he was high. When asked to describe the collision, he said he was driving the Legacy at about 115 mph while a friend painted bright blue lines on the roadway in front of him as he drove. He said that he eventually could not see the blue lines in the road anymore and that was when he crashed.

Police determined the man was on hallucinogens and drew a blood sample. He was then transported to Good Samaritan Hospital for evaluation and was booked into jail after for DUI.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Officers responded to Parker Road for a report of a woman screaming on a 9-11 call before the line disconnected. En route, dispatch advised that a second call came in that there was screaming in the house and objects being thrown around.

Police made contact with a 25 year-old man standing outside the apartment. He was drunk and had a hard time standing up. He said he wanted his wife out of his apartment, because it was legally his house.

His 24 year-old wife was inside the apartment and holding a small child and her young son was holding on to her leg. She was extremely upset. She said she had just returned from a walk with the kids when her husband and his friend pulled up in front of the apartment to drop off a birthday gift for his daughter, who was celebrating her first birthday.

She said she did not want him to be around the children while he was drunk and that he could return with the gift when he was sober. She said he pushed her on the chest and she fell on the floor with the baby in her arms. She told officers she was also two months pregnant.

The man was placed under arrest for domestic violence and police found a small jewelry gift box in his pocket that was meant for the child. Police handed it over to his wife. He was issued a limited contact order and given a court date.

FEB. 15, 2012

DUI

Police were dispatched to a report of DUI near the Sumner Skate Park. The caller said they saw a vehicle driving on flat tires and that it pulled into the parking lot.

Police approached the 23 year-driver and noticed extensive damage to the driver side of the vehicle, with a dent that resembled a tree or pole. The man told police, “I hit a tree and got scared and tried to drive the vehicle to find a safe place to park it.” He just kept repeating that the collision occurred on Washington St. and that he lived a few blocks away.

He admitted to drinking two pitchers of beer and a double rum and coke prior to driving. When police asked if he’d do a sobriety test, he replied, “sure, why not. I’m in big trouble anyway.”

He failed the sobriety test and blew a .184 at the station. He was then released to his father and cited with DUI.

After the incident, officers returned to find where the collision took place. They followed the trail until they found the point of impact at 312 Valley Ave. with the utility pole. There was glass and a side mirror at the scene that matched the man’s vehicle. There didn’t appear to be any damage to the pole but there were skid marks around it.