Fleeing teen robbery suspects crash into semi-truck, killing driver along I-5 in Lakewood
Teens accused of killing semi-truck driver while eluding police in stolen car
They refused to stop for officers, ran a red light and crashed into the semi on the Berkley Street overpass, causing it to jack-knife on the I-5 ramp, according to court documents.
LAKEWOOD, Wash. - The Washington State Patrol is investigating a deadly semi-truck crash on an I-5 ramp in Lakewood Thursday morning.
The crash happened after 5:30 a.m. near Berkeley Street Southwest and Thorne Lane.
Tacoma police told FOX 13 at about 12:45 a.m., officers responded to an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven in Tacoma. Multiple masked suspect went inside the store and robbed the clerk at gunpoint. They drove away in a stolen Kia SUV.
Lakewood police said they spotted the stolen SUV in Tillicum and tried to stop it. The vehicle drove away, ran a red light and crashed into the semi on the Berkley Street overpass, causing it to jack-knife on the I-5 ramp.
According to troopers, the semi driver was ejected from the cab and landed onto I-5 below. He was taken to an area hospital, where he later died.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner identified the driver as Bohdon Vetrov, 57, of Tacoma.
Two 16-year-olds were found at the scene. According to court documents, officers smelled marijuana in the car when they arrived.
The driver was booked on vehicular homicide, eluding, and unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle. His passenger was charged with second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission.
Prosecutors could file more charges.
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