Police chase ends with fiery crash just north of U.S./Canada border

A high-speed stolen vehicle pursuit through Whatcom County ended with the vehicle driving through the U.S./Canada border and bursting into flames in Surrey, B.C. on July 22.

A 21-year-old man from Irvine, California allegedly stole a Hyundai Tucson in Seattle and was driving it in Skagit County, when the registered vehicle owner, who was tracking the vehicle, notified Washington State Patrol (WSP) of its location at about 7:45 p.m. on July 22. WSP then received reports that a vehicle, later identified as the same driver, was nearly colliding with other cars in Whatcom County, WSP trooper Kelsey Harding said. 

WSP troopers attempted to stop the vehicle on northbound I-5 near Slater Road but it fled, Harding said. The driver reached speeds of 115 mph as he drove to the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine.

WSP ended its pursuit as the Hyundai approached the NEXUS lane, which it went through without stopping and continued driving erratically on Highway 99 in Surrey, B.C. The Hyundai drove off the road on Highway 99, near 16th Avenue, and became engulfed in flames, according to a Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) release. The driver, the sole occupant in the vehicle, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by RCMP after a brief altercation. 

The Hyundai clipped another vehicle before crashing that caused minor damage to the second vehicle, according to RCMP. No occupants were injured. 

The driver was treated for his injuries at the hospital and then booked into Whatcom County Jail on July 23 for taking a motor vehicle without permission in the second-degree, attempting to elude police and not having a valid operator’s license. As of July 25, the man remained in jail in lieu of a $20,000 appearance bond or $2,000 cash, according to jail booking data.