Bellingham man charged after attempting to commandeer a car at 35mph

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham Police arrested a 24-year-old man on March 21, 2026, following a reported domestic physical dispute and a subsequent vehicle pursuit.

Officers responded to a report of a physical domestic incident at about 12:50am in the 2400 block of Donovan Avenue. A victim reported being assaulted by the suspect, who then fled the scene in a white Suburban.

According to court documents, the suspect was a passenger in a vehicle earlier that night when he allegedly attempted to grab the steering wheel and shift the vehicle into park or reverse while it was traveling at approximately 35mph. After arriving at a residence, a verbal argument became physical. The suspect allegedly struck one victim multiple times with open and closed hands and struck a second victim in the face when they attempted to intervene.

Responding officers located the Suburban and attempted a traffic stop using emergency lights and sirens. The suspect refused to stop, leading to a 16-mile pursuit south on I-5. During the pursuit, the vehicle reached speeds of 100mph, weaved through traffic, and passed vehicles on the shoulder. Officers used intervention techniques to stop the vehicle.

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Upon contact, officers noted the suspect had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and smelled of intoxicants. A records check indicated the suspect’s license was suspended and he was required to have an ignition interlock device, which was not present in the vehicle.

Prosecutors filed the following charges in Whatcom County Superior Court.