Thurston County Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Mealy described the crash as minor, and said that no one was injured. Sgt. Alvin Griffin was behind the wheel of his patrol car around 12:30 p.m. when he had to brake quickly for traffic but rear-ended another vehicle, causing that vehicle to then strike a sport utility vehicle in front of it, Mealy said.
Griffin’s patrol car struck a Subaru driven by Doug Parker of Sumner.
The collision happened near the Plum Street onramp, and traffic was backed up for more than an hour.
Washington State Patrol will investigate the crash, Mealy said. There is no evidence to suggest that Sgt. Griffin was on a cell phone, texting or using his police radio in a manner that would have caused him to be distracted, Mealy said.
According to the State Patrol report, damage to the deputy’s car is estimated at $3,000 and damage to Parker’s car is estimated at $5,000.
Both cars were removed by tow trucks.
The third vehicle sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.
