Four hurt, including two children, after deputy pursuit ends in Tacoma crash and fire

A 22-year-old man was arrested Saturday after allegedly fleeing from deputies twice, crashing into another vehicle, and leading authorities on a foot pursuit that ended near State Route 512, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department (PCSO). The incident began at about 5:22 p.m. when a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle near the Alta Apartments off Steel Street South in Tacoma. The driver failed to yield and sped northbound on Steel Street South. Due to traffic, the vehicle was forced to slow down, allowing deputies to deploy a tracking device before terminating the pursuit. A few minutes later, deputies located the vehicle stopped near South 84th Street and Yakima Avenue. The suspect was attempting to remove the tracking device when deputies approached, authorities said. The man allegedly jumped back into the vehicle and fled a second time, heading northbound before turning onto Pacific Avenue South. Deputies pursued the vehicle until it was involved in a collision with another vehicle near South 110th Street and Pacific Avenue South at about 5:29 p.m., authorities said. The suspect then fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, deputies apprehended the man near SR 512. A firearm was visible inside the suspect vehicle, authorities said. The vehicle will be seized pending a search warrant. Investigators also plan to process the suspect for driving under the influence. One of the vehicles involved in the collision caught fire, according to authorities. Four occupants of the other vehicle were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two of those injured were children. A deputy also suffered an injury and was taken to a local hospital. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and other agencies are assisting with the ongoing investigation. Authorities asked the public to avoid the area while deputies continue to process the scene.