The State Patrol received calls at 12:48 p.m. Tuesday of a red 2002 Kia driving erratically southbound on Interstate 5 near the Martin Way exit.
Troopers pulled the Kia over for lane travel violation and ultimately arrested the 43-year-old driver for DUI. She was taken to the hospital for a blood draw.
“The blood results will be pending, but we believe she was drug impaired, not alcohol,” said Trooper Guy Gill.
The Kia was impounded and the woman was released to the custody of a friend at the hospital, because she had no prior history of driving under the influence, Gill said.
About eight hours later, troopers pulled the driver of a 2005 Toyota pickup on northbound I-5 at milepost 120, north of DuPont. Other drivers had called 911 to report erratic driving.
The driver of the pickup turned out to be the 43-year-old woman arrested earlier in Thurston County.
“When troopers got her the second time, she didn’t even realize what had happened the first time,” Gill said. “She didn’t recall the previous DUI arrest.
“She was adamant her vehicle was stolen and, again, showed very, very extreme signs of drug impairment.”
The woman was booked in Pierce County Jail for driving under the influence.
Gill attributed both arrests to the tips from drivers on the interstate.
“We always encourage drivers if they see a vehicle that has shown erratic driving patterns to please call it in; this is a perfect example of how that can work,” Gill said.
Those who do call should provide the best vehicle description they can, and license plate number if possible, Gill added.
“Who knows what this could have prevented,” Gill said. “A lot of that goes to the drivers who reported her.”
Chelsea Krotzer: 360-754-5476
ckrotzer@theolympian.com
theolympian.com/thisjustin
