Holly MatkinLacey, WA – A carjacker behind the wheel of a stolen semi-truck crashed into multiple vehicles and rolled the big rig on the interstate before getting into a four-hour standoff with police late last week.
The incident began at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Nov. 18, when the suspect allegedly ran out onto Interstate 5, bringing traffic to a stop, KOMO reported.
He then tried to get into multiple vehicles before climbing up into the cab of a semi-truck and assaulting the driver, according to police.
The suspect allegedly managed to force the driver of the truck out of the vehicle and took off down the interstate, KOMO reported.
According to the Washington State Police (WSP), the suspect crashed the carjacked semi into multiple other vehicles before he ultimately rolled the truck onto its side in the median.
It was not immediately known if anyone was injured in those collisions.
🚨 Happening Now 🚨
I-5 is blocked in both directions at Martin Way in Olympia. Travelers are advised to avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/C4og2JagxF— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) November 18, 2022
As police quickly shut down all lanes of Interstate 5, the agitated suspect hunkered down inside the crashed truck and refused to come out, KOMO reported.
The ensuing standoff lasted for four hours.
An armored vehicle and a negotiator were brought to the scene as police tried to convince the suspect to surrender, KOMO reported.
Troopers attempted to shatter the truck’s windshield using less-lethal rounds at one point, but the effort was not successful, the WSP said.
The suspect ultimately emerged from the cab of the truck while carrying a knife at about 3:48 p.m. and allegedly charged at one of the officers, resulting in police opening fire on him, KOMO reported.
#UPDATE – The suspect is currently refusing to exit the cab of the rolled-over semi-truck
North- and southbound lanes are currently blocked
Please avoid the area and use alternate routes pic.twitter.com/kmMsSlaKcX
— Trooper Robert Reyer (@wspd1pio) November 18, 2022
Emergency medical personnel staged nearby immediately provided aid, but the suspect succumbed to his wounds at the scene.
His identity was not immediately released.
The Thurston County Coroner’s Office said the suspect died from multiple gunshot wounds, KOMO reported.
Investigators said that the suspect, described as a male in his 20s or 30s, did not have any identification on him at the time of the incident, according to The Olympian.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Region 3 Critical Investigation Team is handling the ongoing investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting.
