Yakima man on stolen motorcycle flees patrol, crashes

ELLENSBURG - A 23-year-old Yakima man was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Wednesday after allegedly trying to elude police while driving a stolen motorcycle.

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, one of its airplanes observed the motorcycle traveling 89 mph on Interstate 90 near Ellensburg. A trooper pulled up behind the motorcycle on South Thorp Highway at about 9:30 a.m. and activated his emergency lights.

The driver, identified as Thomas L. Sluman, accelerated to elude the trooper and crossed the Yakima River Bridge. When he appeared to be slowing, a trooper in an unmarked patrol car got out and attempted to contact Sluman on foot. Sluman sped up, struck the door of the patrol car and fell 25 feet to an access road, according to the news release.

The state patrol said the 2006 Yamaha motorcycle Sluman was driving was stolen in Seattle on Jan. 15, 2009.

Sluman was transported to a local hospital before being transferred to Harborview, police said. However, a nursing supervisor said no one with the last name of Sluman was admitted to the hospital.

After treatment, the State Patrol said Sluman will be charged with felony eluding, driving with a suspended license and possession of a stolen motorcycle.

This story was originally published July 22, 2010 at 9:27 AM with the headline "Yakima man on stolen motorcycle flees patrol, crashes."