3 Wash. Police Cruisers Struck by Gunfire During Wild Pursuit
By Donald W. Meyers
Source Yakima Herald-Republic, Wash.
Yakima police were fired on as they were investigating a stolen vehicle on Thursday morning. A pursuit ended in a crash on West Yakima Avenue, with two drivers taken to the hospital, police said.
Three police vehicles were hit by gunfire, interim Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle said.
No officers were injured and they did not fire back, he said.
Police were responding to a report of a vehicle that was stolen or taken without permission, Boyle said. When the vehicle was spotted near the Yakima County jail around 11 a.m., the driver took off and police began to pursue. The pursuit was called off, but the driver opened fire, Boyle said.
Boyle said speeds reached 60 mph at times, and the suspect was running through stop signs.
During the course of the chase, three YPD vehicles were hit, including a patrol vehicle where the bullet struck just above the windshield on the driver's side.
The suspect crashed into a Roto Rooter truck at South Fourth Avenue and West Yakima Avenue. The Roto Rooter driver and suspect were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Boyle said police were checking along the route of the pursuit to see if any other vehicles were hit by gunfire.
Washington State Patrol will investigate the crash and Yakima Police Department will investigate the shooting.
"Police pursuits are dangerous but when they try to shoot at officers, we're going to stop them and hold them accountable," Boyle said.
Roads were closed in the area mid-day Thursday.
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