36-mile high-speed pursuit on I-5 ends in arrest

LYNNWOOD — An Olympia woman was arrested near Lynnwood on Tuesday morning after allegedly leading police on a 36-mile pursuit on I-5.

The woman initially was pulled over for speeding near the Skagit-Snohomish County line, Washington State Patrol trooper Mark Francis said. Troopers estimated her car had been moving at 95 mph.

The woman, believed to be in her 20s or 30s, said she was having medical issues, Francis said.

While the trooper was checking her information, the woman drove away.

The pursuit south reached speeds of 110 mph, Francis said.

Troopers suspended the chase during a stretch near a bridge-construction project on I-5 near Arlington.

Three sets of spike strips were used to try to stop her. The first two didn’t work, but the third did, Francis said.

At that point, she pulled over to the left shoulder near Lynnwood.

The woman, who was dressed in pajamas, didn’t resist arrest and maintained she’d done nothing wrong when she drove away from the Skagit County stop.

“She said she thought she was free to leave,” Francis said.

The pursuit began at 10:12 a.m. and ended at 10:52 a.m.

Medics checked the woman after her car was stopped.

Troopers expected to arrest her for eluding and reckless driving.

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