A Kitsap County Sheriff's Office deputy rescued a man from his burning SUV after a high-speed pursuit that ended with the vehicle crashing into a tractor and catching fire. The incident occurred on State Highway 104 in Kingston, Washington, around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, according to officials.
The deputy initially spotted the suspect driving approximately 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. The driver refused to pull over and accelerated, reaching speeds of 111 miles per hour, the sheriff's office reported. The deputy lost sight of the suspect until he observed tire marks and billowing smoke on the road.
Body camera footage and photos released by authorities show the man had driven his SUV into a yard, where it struck a tractor and burst into flames. The deputy first attempted to remove the trapped man through the driver's side window by breaking the glass with a flashlight. He abandoned this approach after the man shouted, "I can't get out that way!"
The deputy then moved to the passenger's side door, repeatedly slamming the handle with the edge of his flashlight while flames from the engine grew higher. A Port Gamble police officer arrived with a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. Video footage subsequently shows the deputy pulling the man from the mangled vehicle.
North Kitsap Fire and Rescue crews arrived at the scene and airlifted the man to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. Authorities have not identified the suspect. He faces two charges, including attempting to elude a police officer and reckless driving.