Medical emergency causes Tenino Police Chief to crash cruiser into restaurant
Tenino Police Chief Robert Swain experienced a “medical emergency” while driving one of the department’s cruisers Wednesday and crashed into the side of a restaurant, according to a statement from the department.
Chief Swain was driving his cruiser east on Sussex Avenue East in a 25 mile-per-hour zone and apparently lost consciousness, John Millard, Tenino clerk-treasurer, told The Olympian.
His cruiser then drifted across westbound lanes and through a bed of ground-cover plants, which Millard says slowed the cruiser before it crashed into the south side of Scotty B’s, on the corner of Old Highway 99 Southeast and Sussex Avenue, about 4:15 p.m. The restaurant was closed a few weeks ago.
First responders transported Swain to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, according to Millard, where he’s undergoing tests.
“The injures he suffered as a result of the collision are relatively minor,” Millard said. “We do not know what happened to cause the collision.”
Without that knowledge, his overall medical status was unknown as of Thursday morning. Millard said the city will release whatever updates Chief Swain’s wife, Becky, is comfortable releasing after officials speak with her today.
The crash damaged the building and severely damaged the cruiser, according to the department’s statement.
Washington State Patrol troopers are conducting the accident investigation. Trooper Ryan Burke confirmed that drugs and alcohol are not believed to have been a factor in the crash.
This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 9:36 AM.
.jpg)