Puyallup Driver Shot by Trooper Charged in Incident

The 26-year-old Puyallup resident who authorities say led a Washington State Patrol trooper on a high-speed chase down southbound Interstate 5 early Saturday morning has been charged with second-degree assault, attempting to elude a police officer and driving under the influence, according to the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.

Paul Bruglia pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment Monday.

Charging papers state that Bruglia was allegedly driving up to 130 mph on southbound I-5 just after dawn on Saturday, Sept. 22, when WSP trooper Sean Chatterton began chasing him.

Bruglia lost control and crashed his car near Bay Street and the trooper stopped his car as well. When Chatterton exited his vehicle, Bruglia allegedly began ramming the trooper’s vehicle with his car.

Fearing for his life, Chatterton shot at Bruglia, wounding his wrist.

Bruglia fled the scene and began driving north in the southbound lanes and again rammed the trooper’s car before getting on to State Route 16 from southbound I-5. He crashed a second time after his car spun into a barrier on the on-ramp, charging papers state. He was then taken into custody and treated for his injuries. SR 16 was closed until about 5 a.m. Saturday morning, WSDOT reported.

Chatterton remains on administrative leave while the investigation is under way, which is standard procedure after a police shooting.