DUI Suspect Arrested In Tumwater After Chase, Crash

Washington State Patrol arrested a driver Friday for DUI, hit-and-run, assault and resisting arrest after causing multiple collisions on Interstate 5 and eventually abandoning his car and fleeing on foot, said Trooper Guy Gill.

At approximately 9:45 a.m. Friday, a Washington State Patrol Trooper stopped a 2000 Pontiac Firebird driven by 38-year-old Mark A. Graham.

Graham was driving northbound on I-5 at 93rd Ave., in Tumwater, when he was stopped after a trooper believed he was intoxicated.

The trooper asked Graham to exit the vehicle for some voluntary field sobriety tests. Graham exited the vehicle and walked with the trooper to the shoulder for the tests, but suddenly turned and ran back toward his vehicle, Gill said.

The trooper attempted to stop him. However, Graham was able to get back into his vehicle and as he accelerated, he struck the trooper with the driver’s side door.

The trooper pursued Graham as he continued northbound on I-5 at a high rate of speed. Graham lost control of his vehicle, striking a Shelton man driving a 1999 Dodge Durango forcing him off of the freeway, Gill said. Graham also left the roadway and became stuck on the shoulder.

Graham was able to free the vehicle and once again continued northbound on I-5. Still at an extremely high rate of speed, Graham exited the freeway to Trosper Road in Tumwater. Graham struck a road sign that became wedged in the front of the vehicle. Unable to drive any further, Graham abandoned the vehicle in the parking lot of a private business in Tumwater and fled on foot. He was soon arrested by police officers.

Graham was booked into Thurston County jail for first-degree assault, resisting arrest, eluding, and two counts of hit-and-run, DUI, reckless driving, and driving while license suspended 2nd degree. Graham also had a warrant for his arrest out of King County.

No one was injured in this incident.