Driver allegedly strikes school gate, eludes deputies Wednesday, Sheriff’s Office says
Deputies arrested a 40-year-old woman accused of crashing into a gate at Lacey Elementary School and then leading them on a high-speed chase Wednesday night.
The pursuit began at Homann Drive Southeast and Lacey Boulevard, north of Lacey Elementary School, and ended at Martin Way East and College Street Southeast, according to a Facebook post by Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
The county jail roster shows deputies booked the woman on suspicion of driving under the influence, eluding a Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle and second-degree malicious mischief. She also was booked on suspicion of eluding Olympia and Lacey police in two previous incidents.
The latest incident started when deputies attempted to stop the woman for “lane travel and other traffic violations,” according to the Sheriff’s Office post. Rather than yield, the post alleges she drove through grass and “intentionally” struck a gate at Lacey Elementary School.
Deputies established reasonable suspicion for driving under the influence and followed the woman’s vehicle, according to the post. Deputies say she drove at speeds between 60 and 70 miles per hour during the pursuit.
The woman eventually lost control of her vehicle and hit a curb after turning right from College Street onto Martin Way East, the post says.
The Sheriff’s Office also posted photos from the incident. The images show a dark colored sedan pinned between a speed limit post and patrol vehicles in front of a Denny’s.
Earlier that night, the post says Olympia police tried to stop the same vehicle for lane travel, but say she fled then as well. She’s also accused of fleeing from Lacey police in late December.
This story was originally published January 4, 2024 at 9:46 AM.
