Pierce County Begins Investigation After Man Died In Police Custody

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — The Pierce County Force Investigation Team will probe the death of a man who died in custody after he was subdued by Washington State Patrol troopers and Tacoma police officers.

In a news release Wednesday, officials said the encounter began after a WSP trooper attempted to pull over a truck on the 3700 block of Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, just a few minutes after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officials said the driver almost hit a pedestrian, then ran a red light and continued south on Pacific, leading the trooper to believe he was impaired.

The trooper reported the truck driving 40 mph on sidewalks before turning around near 84th Street, where the vehicle turned east. Investigators said the driver lept or was ejected from the truck before it went between a high voltage pole and crashed into a metal light pole and a wall at an AM/PM gas station.

Other troopers responded to the scene to assist and said the man was waving a gun, which they later said was a knife. Troopers said the driver did not comply with orders and they used "less lethal methods" before subduing the man with help from Tacoma Police.

As medics were attempting aid, police said he attempted to kick officers and firefighters. A few minutes later, investigators said the man stopped breathing, and CPR was unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.

Washington State Patrol asked the Pierce County Force Investigation Team to complete a full investigation of the man's death.