Two Major Collisions Within Five Minutes Keep Puyallup Police Busy Wednesday Evening

Puyallup Police stayed busy Wednesday night, after two collisions happened within five minutes of each other, causing significant traffic buildup and requiring public safety resources, according to a department news release.

A short pursuit occurred at 6:42 p.m., when the driver of a Ford Mustang Saleen with switched license plates failed to stop for a Puyallup Police officer during a routine traffic stop. The Saleen fled north on 2nd St. NE, turned north onto N. Meridian and crashed near the SR 167 onramp. Traffic was congested in the area for about 45 minutes during the police investigation.

The crash involved three vehicles, one of which was a semi tractor/trailer. The driver of the fleeing vehicle and one other driver suffered minor injuries.

Following treatment at the hospital, a 44-year-old man was booked at Pierce County Jail on felony eluding charges and warrants. The occupants of the suspect vehicle are suspected gang members with violent criminal histories.

The second collision occurred at 6:46 p.m. at 15th and S. Meridian, which also impacted the evening commute. A 54-year-old man suffered a medical problem while driving and lost control of his vehicle. He crashed into another occupied vehicle.

Initially, the man’s condition was considered life-threatening, so collision investigators took extra steps to preserve the crash scene, which impacted traffic until about 7:30 p.m. Central Pierce Fire and Rescue transported the injured driver to a nearby hospital, where his condition was upgraded and he is expected to survive.