Woman Trapped In Car During Police Chase Describes Terrifying Ordeal

A woman who was trapped in a car with a man as he led police on a chase and opened fire on officers in Everett on Wednesday spoke with KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Lee Stoll about her ordeal.

"I was just very terrified. All I could think of was that I was gonna die,” Mandy Bigelow tells KIRO.

Bigelow was riding with Theodore Ohms in her black Volkswagen Jetta Wednesday evening when police tried to pull them over because Bigelow’s license plates had been canceled.

Police say Theodore Ohms then led officers on a chase which shut down Interstate 5 for three hours and created a five-mile backup on the freeway.

SLIDESHOW: I-5 Shutdown Near Everett UNCUT: Everett Pursuit, Takedown UNCUT: Suspect Taken Into Custody UNCUT: Chopper 7 View Of I-5 Closure Near Everett

"He was telling me Mandy don't worry we got away we got away,” Bigelow says. “And I’m like no you're crazy there's something wrong. Just stop the car you're going to get caught.”

Bigelow said she rode along as Ohms, who was wanted for a parole violation, as he sped down I-5, pulled a gun, and opened fire on officers.

Bigelow tells KIRO Ohms would have opened fire on police again, if she hadn’t taken his gun and thrown it out of the car.

"I grabbed the gun as fast as I could and threw it out the window,” Bigelow says.

Bigelow says he has only known Ohms for about a month.

Police said Ohms eventually crashed into another car, sending the other driver to the hospital, and fled on foot.

Police arrested Ohms a short time later in a nearby neighborhood.

Bigelow says Ohms had purchased methamphetamine just hours before the chase, but does not know if he had taken them.

Ohms refused to come to court today to face charges. A Snohomish County judge has issued a “drag order,” and Ohms will be brought to court Friday.

Previous Stories: September 2, 2010: Man In Custody After Wild Pursuit Shuts Down I-5 In Everett