Ferndale man injures Washington State Patrol trooper in Snohomish County

PETER JENSEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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A Ferndale man allegedly driving intoxicated injured a Washington State Patrol trooper when his vehicle sideswiped the trooper's unmarked patrol vehicle on Interstate 5 in Snohomish County Friday morning, Nov. 27.

Ronald G. Peterson, 50, was driving north on I-5 near Arlington at 11 a.m. when he swerved into Trooper Mack Hyatt's 2008 Dodge Magnum, which was parked on the left shoulder so he could do speed checks, Trooper Keith Leary said.

Hyatt, 58, was taken to the hospital and was being examined for broken bones, Leary said.

"He's in quite a bit of pain, but he was in good spirits," Leary said.

Peterson's wife and two daughters, ages 11 and 14, were in the car but were not injured, Leary said. Neither was Peterson.

He was taken to the hospital for a blood draw before being booked into the Snohomish County Jail on suspicion of DUI, according to WSP.

The charge may be elevated to vehicular assault if Hyatt's injuries are serious enough. Leary said this the fifth time in less than a month a trooper has been hit.