WSP searching for driver of truck that nearly hit trooper twice

The Washington State Patrol is searching for a white Ford pickup after its driver nearly struck a trooper Wednesday morning while fleeing on Interstate 5.

A state trooper  motorcycle unit was stationed on the northbound shoulder of I-5 near Milepost 3. At about 9:20 a.m., the trooper spotted a white, lifted Ford F-250 truck with black body panels going 78 mph. The driver “intentionally swerved towards the trooper, stationary on the shoulder,” according to a news release from WSP.

The driver of the truck fled north on I-5, but the trooper caught up as the truck took the Northeast 99th Street exit.

The trooper made eye contact with the driver at a red stoplight and again attempted to pull them over. When the signal turned green, the driver swerved the pickup again, nearly striking the trooper. The driver then turned west toward I-5, according to the news release.

The pickup reentered northbound I-5 from Northeast 99th Street and began passing other motorists on the inside shoulder, the news release states. The trooper stopped pursuing the truck because of its dangerous maneuvers.

WSP is asking anyone who has information on the driver or owner of the truck to call 360-449-7999.