Man arrested after hit-and-run in downtown Olympia

A man was arrested in downtown Olympia Thursday night after he ran red lights, swerved through streets and hit two vehicles, one of which was occupied, police say.

At about 11 p.m., an Olympia Police officer was on a regular patrol downtown when he witnessed a car swerving and running multiple red lights on Fourth Avenue, Lt. Paul Lower said. At the corner of Fourth and Cherry Street, the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver sped off.

The officer did not pursue the vehicle out of concern for the safety of those downtown. “A pursuit runs the risk of hurting others,” Lower said.

The vehicle was spotted again after striking a vacant parked car and a car occupied by a man and woman on Fifth Avenue, according to Lower.

The driver abandoned the car and fled on foot, Lower said. Police later found a man in a parking lot with wounds consistent with experiencing a car crash, and several witnesses at the scene identified the man as the offending driver.

According to arresting officers, the suspect appeared to be intoxicated. Lower said officers found marijuana in his possession, as well, and got a warrant for a blood draw.

After the man’s blood draw, he was placed under arrest on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence. He has been booked into the Thurston County jail.

The occupants of the struck vehicle were taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital for evaluation.

This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 11:46 AM.