Thurston County law enforcement and first responders rescued a trapped victim from inside a crushed car Thursday night following a head-on collision with a suspected DUI driver.
The incident occurred at Rainier Road and Fir Tree Road near East Olympia.
Sheriff Derek Sanders said on Facebook Thursday that deputies and emergency personnel responded to a reported “multi-vehicle collision with entrapment and one vehicle catching fire.”
According to Sanders, the driver suspected of causing the collision tried to escape on foot after making comments to witnesses that it wasn’t his fault.
Deputies detained and arrested the suspect for alleged vehicular assault and driving under the influence, after noting the “strong odor of alcohol on his breath,” Sanders said.
The suspect was hospitalized for medical clearance. Deputies also obtained a search warrant for a blood draw.
The victim, meanwhile, was reportedly trapped inside their car following the head-on collision.
Sanders said firefighters spent over 50 minutes using rescue tools to cut open the car, which included the removal of its entire roof and pillars.
“Through nothing short of stellar work and heroism from our firefighters, the victim was stabilized in the car for nearly an hour while each piece of the car was cut away,” Sanders said.
First responders included personnel from East Olympia Fire District 6, South Thurston Fire & EMS, Lacey Fire District 3, Thurston County Medic One and the Tumwater Fire Department.
Airlift Northwest transported the victim via helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Sanders said the helicopter took off from East Olympia Elementary School’s front lawn.
“Our thoughts are with the family and the victim tonight who are on a long path to recovery,” Sanders said. “I cannot commend our medics, firefighters and air lift team enough.”
According to Sanders, a witness to the incident reported they were driving along the road when they saw the suspect heading toward them in the wrong lane.
“The witness swerved out of the way, and the suspect went head on with the car behind the witness,” Sanders said.
Following the incident, the sheriff’s traffic unit reconstructed the collision with assistance from the Yelm Police Department and Lacey Police Department, according to Sanders.
“Thurston County Roads responded to close the roadway down,” Sanders added.
