State Patrol cites I-5 driver near Kent for DUI after traveling 10 miles on three tires

After striking a barrier in Pierce County, the driver of a Chevrolet pickup drove northbound Interstate 5 on three tires for an estimated 10 miles before a State Patrol trooper stopped the driver off the South 200th Street exit near Kent.

Witnesses reported the pickup traveling at high speeds while missing a front tire from the Federal Way area, according to a Washington State Patrol media release.

Just before 11 a.m. Sunday April 24, Trooper David Roberts observed the erratically driven pickup truck traveling north on I-5. Roberts said he could see “there was something wrong with the front end because of the angle that the truck was driving,” and initiated a stop at the South 200th Street exit.

While being stopped, the driver pulled onto the shoulder on the exit ramp to South 200th but abruptly accelerated and drove to a gas station on Military Road.

The trooper arrested the man at the gas station for investigation of DUI. The man, of Georgia, was released to his commanding officer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord after providing breath-test results of .184 and .183. The blood-alcohol level to be cited for drunk driving in the state is .08 or higher.

The driver told the trooper he had “a lot” to drink and he thought he had struck a barrier somewhere in Tacoma.

The right side of the pickup had recent damage and the right front tire was completely ground down to the lug nuts.

Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

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