Court records say the driver ran red lights and drove into oncoming traffic before the stolen Hyundai became wedged between two cars.
TACOMA, Wash. — Pierce County prosecutors charged a 19-year-old man after Tacoma police said he led officers on a pursuit in a stolen Hyundai that ended when the car became wedged between two other vehicles.
Julian Avery Wirawan was charged Wednesday with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, according to court documents.
Tacoma police said officers first saw a stolen 2015 Hyundai Elantra being driven erratically Tuesday afternoon when it stopped, giving them enough time to check the license plate and learn it had been reported stolen out of Seattle.
Police said the driver looked back at officers and then drove away.
According to court documents, officers tried to stop the car with lights and sirens, but the driver sped away.
During the pursuit, police said the Hyundai ran multiple red lights, drove into oncoming traffic and swerved around other vehicles.
The pursuit ended near South 21st Street and South C Street, just west of Pacific Avenue, when the Hyundai became stuck between two other cars, according to court documents.
Police said the Hyundai struck a Buick and pinned the driver’s side of the Hyundai against a Honda Pilot.
Both other vehicles had slight damage and were still drivable, according to police. There were no reported injuries.
Officers removed Wirawan through the passenger side of the Hyundai and took him into custody.
After his arrest, police said Wirawan told officers he knew the Hyundai was stolen because of the ignition.
Court documents say the steering column cover had been removed and a USB device had been inserted into the ignition.
Wirawan told police he got the car from a friend in Seattle about a week earlier but said he did not steal it, according to court documents.
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