After leading troopers on a high-speed chase on I-5, man tries to run but loses shoe
A man who reportedly led the Washington State Patrol on a high-speed chase down Interstate 5 Monday through Whatcom and Skagit counties was found to be driving a car that had just been reported stolen to Western Washington University police.
Troopers booked Garrett Stephan Young, 30, into the Skagit County Community Justice Center on suspicion of attempting to elude police, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of vehicle theft tools, hit and run, obstructing law enforcement, DUI, first-degree driving with a suspended license and driving without an ignition interlock system.
The State Patrol first attempted to stop the silver 2004 Kia Optima Young was driving when it was clocked traveling 70 mph in a 60 mph zone near milepost 244 of southbound I-5, Trooper Heather Axtman told The Bellingham Herald.
Young refused to pull over and continued south, reaching a top speed of 113 mph, Axtman said.
Near the Alger exit, the Kia collided with a Toyota Highlander, Axtman said, adding that the female driver of the Highlander called 911 and told dispatchers she was uninjured.
Young exited at Alger, then got out of the car and ran away on foot, Axtman said, forcing troopers to call for local K-9 to assist in finding him.
At approximately 8:34 p.m., Axtman said troopers found the right shoe Young was wearing — a black Air Jordan with decals — in a field east of the Alger exit. By 8:41 p.m., Young was taken into custody.
A check of the Kia’s plates found that the car belonged to someone who lived near WWU, Axtman said, and university police said they had just left the owner’s residence after taking a stolen vehicle report.
