Bellingham — A Lynden woman reportedly had to stop her car on Interstate 5 in Bellingham Friday afternoon to avoid hitting a man in the lanes of traffic, then had him crawl into her car through the sunroof.
The Washington State Patrol booked Joseph Thomas Woodson into Whatcom County Jail on Sept. 11 on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, second-degree vehicle prowling and disorderly conduct. Jail records show he is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
The State Patrol began receiving reports at 12:45 p.m. Friday of a pedestrian, later identified as Woodson, along southbound lanes of I-5 near the Lakeway exit, Trooper Heather Axtman told The Bellingham Herald.
Woodson then reportedly stepped out into the lanes of travel, forcing a car driven by a woman from Lynden to slow, Axtman said.
Woodson then climbed into the car using the sunroof, Axtman said, forcing the victim to stop the car, and he reportedly got out.
“I’ve been working here for 12 years, and I’ve never heard of that before,” Axtman said. “It’s got to be so unsettling for that victim. To be driving along at freeway speeds and then have to stop to avoid hitting a pedestrian. Then for him to crawl up and get in your car and get in through the sunroof? My heart goes out to her — I can only imagine how terrifying that was.”
Troopers arrived on scene and found Woodson walking along the southbound shoulder. He then reportedly opened the door to the trooper’s patrol vehicle and got in the back.
“We didn’t even have to ask him,” Axtman said.
Troopers believe Woodson was suffering from apparent mental health issues at the time, Axtman reported, and they discovered a small baggie with suspected cocaine on him.
