Driver arrested after critically injuring passenger, Thurston Sheriff says
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes Saturday night, including vehicular assault, after he crashed into a cement barrier in the Nisqually Valley, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post.
The driver and the critically injured passenger are brothers and active-duty military, Sanders said in his post. He said the seriously injured passenger appeared to have been paralyzed from the crash.
“We are hoping the critically injured victim makes the fullest recovery possible,” Sanders said.
Around 9 p.m., a deputy spotted a Dodge Charger traveling 60 miles per hour in a 35 mph speed limit area on Martin Way East. The deputy turned to follow the vehicle, but the driver “accelerated to speeds well over 100 mph despite no emergency lights being activated,” Sanders said.
The deputy then found the driver had crashed into a cement barrier near the Interstate 5 on-ramp in the Nisqually Valley.
The vehicle was occupied by four people, according to Sanders, but he mentions only three people in the post: the driver, the seriously injured passenger/brother and a second passenger who suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital.
Sanders alleged in his post that the vehicle was equipped with camera equipment “often utilized by individuals who record themselves taunting/fleeing from police at high speeds.”
The driver also was in possession of a firearm, according to Sanders.
The 22-year-old man was booked on suspicion of vehicular assault, reckless driver, reckless endangerment and reckless endangerment/domestic violence crimes, according to Thurston County jail information.
This story was originally published January 25, 2026 at 11:04 AM.
