Shocking body camera footage has revealed the dramatic moment a Washington state trooper was thrown to the ground and her patrol vehicle stolen, leading to a dangerous high-speed pursuit on Christmas Day.
A Christmas Day Confrontation on the Interstate
According to court documents obtained by KOMO News, the incident began when troopers responded to reports of a man running across all lanes of Interstate 5 in Seattle. The individual was identified as 24-year-old Alexander Eugene Smith.
Body-worn video shows officers attempting to de-escalate the situation, offering Smith water, a blanket, and a ride away from the dangerous highway. After initially agreeing to leave, Smith's behaviour became increasingly erratic. He discarded the offered items and suddenly ran back into traffic.
The Violent Carjacking and Pursuit
As one trooper pleaded with him to stop, a female colleague pulled her patrol car alongside him. Smith then approached the driver's side, yanked the trooper from the vehicle, and threw her to the pavement before climbing in and locking the doors.
The video captures the officer's shocked exclamation and shouts of "No!" as Smith sped away. This triggered a high-speed chase involving multiple agencies, including the Seattle Police Department. Troopers attempted two Precision Immobilisation Technique (PIT) manoeuvres; the second was successful, causing Smith to lose control of the stolen police car.
Arrest and Aftermath
Several officers quickly surrounded the crashed vehicle with guns drawn. Smith resisted arrest and was subdued with a Taser before being taken into custody. The trooper who was pulled from her car sustained minor injuries. While several vehicles were damaged during the pursuit, no members of the public were seriously harmed.
Smith was booked into the King County Jail facing a slew of charges, including:
- Felony eluding
- Robbery
- Possession of a stolen vehicle
- Assault on a law enforcement officer
- DUI
His bond was set at $300,000. Smith reportedly told investigators he had smoked methamphetamine prior to the encounter. He has prior misdemeanor convictions and a pending domestic violence case. A competency hearing is scheduled for January 26 to determine if he is mentally fit to face the new charges.
