On December 27th at approximately 2:09 a.m. officers responded to the area of East Mercer Street and Summit Avenue East for a two-vehicle hit and run collision. The 35-year-old male suspect was driving a silver Toyota Celica eastbound on East Mercer Street, ran a stop sign at Summit Avenue East, and sideswiped a taxi cab on the driver’s side that was heading westbound on East Mercer Street. The adult male taxi driver, the only occupant of the taxi, was uninjured in the collision. The suspect and his adult male passenger were also uninjured in the collision. The suspect failed to stop after striking the taxi and fled the scene driving eastbound on East Mercer Street. The suspect didn’t make it far though, getting his vehicle stuck in the snow about one-half block from the collision location. Officers arrived on scene and began investigating the suspect for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. While officers attempted to conduct field sobriety tests the suspect became hostile and assaultive toward the officers and was placed under arrest. As officers attempted to place the suspect into the backseat of a patrol car, the suspect kicked one officer in the throat and another officer in the face in an apparent attempt to escape custody. Officers gained control of the combative suspect and after further investigation he was booked into the King County Jail for two counts of Investigation of Assault on an Officer, a felony. Further charges were formally requested for DUI and Hit & Run. The officers were treated at the scene by SFD Medics and returned to duty. The suspect’s vehicle was impounded and his passenger was released from the scene.
Officers assaulted during DUI arrest
by December 27, 2008 5:28 am
on