BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s vehicle was reportedly rammed by a car during a traffic stop about 11:40am on Wednesday, January 11th.
Bellingham Police Department (BPD) Lieutenant Claudia Murphy told Whatcom News via email that the deputy was stepping out of their vehicle in the area of Samish Way and Bill McDonald Parkway when the driver backed up into the driver’s side of the deputy’s vehicle. The driver immediately drove away.
The deputy, uninjured from the crash, pursued the fleeing vehicle with BPD assisting.
According to unconfirmed radio transmissions, the vehicle eluded attempts to stop it and continued at high speed through Bellingham.
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Murphy said the driver stopped in the 4000 block of Flynn Street and fled on foot along with other occupants.
A perimeter was established around the area but, as of 4pm, the driver had yet to be located.
According to unconfirmed radio transmissions, multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the search for the driver including a US Customs and Border Protection helicopter.
Murphy said that during the initial investigation it was determined the car used to ram the deputy’s vehicle and flee was listed as stolen from Bellingham this morning.
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Click for more informationMurphy said BPD has established probable cause to arrest the yet to be identified suspect for 1st-degree assault, attempting to elude police and possession of a stolen vehicle.