Suicide ends chase on I-5, bullet nearly hits officer

[Grizzly]

Suicide ends chase on I-5, bullet nearly hits officer

BY LISA PEMBERTON

THE OLYMPIAN

A police chase that began near Fort Lewis ended with a crash and a driver taking his own life on Interstate 5 in Thurston County early today, according to the Washington State Patrol.

All southbound lanes were closed at milepost 107, in the Lacey area, as authorities investigated the 3:45 a.m. crash near the Sleater-Kinney exit, said state patrol trooper J.J. Gundermann.

By 7 a.m., all of the lanes had reopened.

The chase began when military police at Fort Lewis tried to pull over the man, who had been speeding and was suspected to be driving under the influence, Gundermann said.

A Washington State Patrol trooper began pursuing the vehicle near milepost 120, at a Fort Lewis exit, he said.

Deputies with the Thurston County Sheriff

[Mem]

Sad. Glad the officer was not harmed and that the man did not attempt to just random shoot at officers. I do wonder if the man was under the influence or if he was attempting to draw police attention in an attempt at suicide by cop.