By Paul Sand
The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington)
Copyright 2007 The News Tribune
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
A 49-year-old Lakebay man was arrested Sunday after he drove through a stop sign in Pierce County and was struck by a Medic One ambulance, severely injuring his wife, the Washington State Patrol said.
The man, who The News Tribune is not naming because he hasn’t been charged with a crime, was treated for minor injuries at Harrison Memorial in Bremerton before being booked into the Pierce County Jail on two counts of vehicular assault. Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the incident, the State Patrol reported.
 A driver of a Chevy Tahoe failed to obey a stop sign and got in the way of a rushing ambulance, causing a major crash that sent six people to a hospital in Wash., Sunday. Full Video |
The crash happened about 3:15 a.m. when the man failed to stop his 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe at a stop sign on 118th Avenue Northwest and was struck by the ambulance, which was eastbound on Highway 302. The ambulance’s siren and emergency lights were on, according to the State Patrol.
The ambulance’s driver, two crew members and one patient were treated for minor injuries at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. Medics transported the Tahoe driver’s 53-year-old wife to St. Joseph Medical Center. She sustained life-threatening injuries, the State Patrol said. Attempts to get her condition Sunday evening were unsuccessful.
Investigators closed Highway 302 for about five hours following the crash.