Police Standoff With Driver Ends In Arrest

LAKEWOOD, WA - Two men were injured in a two-vehicle crash that turned into a hour-long standoff with police on Interstate-5 near Gravelly Lake Drive Tuesday afternoon. Following the conclusion of the standoff, I-5 remained partially blocked for another seven hours while crews cleared the scene.

Both Jeffrey W. Macheta, 33, and Ronney L. Jones, 67, were taken to Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lews-McChord following the crash and standoff, according to Washington State Patrol public information officer Creighton Wells.

The standoff and subsequent traffic backup began around 4 p.m. Feb. 5, when Macheta allegedly drove past a Lakewood police officer on I-5 at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The officer gave chase and eventually caught up to Macheta near Gravelly Lake Drive, just as he crashed his gray 2003 Toyota Sequoia into a white 2016 Freightliner semi pulling two flatbed trailers.

After being hit, Jones veered his Freightliner into the median and became high-centered, blocking lanes of travel in both directions.

Following the crash Macheta remained in his Toyota, reportedly threatening to harm himself with a knife.

Just as the afternoon/evening rush hour was beginning law enforcement advised commuters to avoid I-5.

Macheta reportedly spoke with police negotiators for more than an hour before he finally surrendered and was taken into custody shortly before 5:30 p.m. Macheta was taken to hospital following the standoff.

It does not appear as though Macheta has been charged with any crimes or booked into Pierce County jail at this time.

After the standoff, Washington State Department of Transportation crews worked until around midnight clearing the scene and getting traffic back to normal. Some commuters told news outlets they spent more than two hours sitting on I-5 during the incident.

This post will be updated when more information is available.

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Image via Washington State Department of Transportation