A Burien Police deputy arrested a driver early Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, after an attempted traffic stop for an infraction escalated into a felony investigation, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of SW 122nd Street and 1st Ave South (map below), when a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for an illegal U turn.
Police said the driver failed to stop and drove recklessly while attempting to elude the deputy.
After assessing the risks, the deputy determined there were no legal grounds to pursue the vehicle and deactivated the patrol car’s emergency lights, the sheriff’s office said.
Shortly afterward, the deputy observed the driver had crashed into a fence and was attempting to flee the scene on foot.
The deputy caught up to the driver and took the suspect into custody. During the subsequent investigation, deputies discovered fentanyl, according to the sheriff’s office.
The driver was booked on charges of felony eluding, resisting arrest and possession of drugs.
The case has been forwarded to the King County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
“Just like that, a simple infraction turned into a Felony and multiple misdemeanor charges,” police said in a statement.
OK, did I read that wrong? Driving was using his car recklessly but the deputy determined there was no legal issue to pull him over?!! Until the driver crashes into a tree and starts running is when the deputy thinks he better stop him?
I do not understand this type of public safety?
Not sure I understand: he “made an illegal U turn, failed to stop and drove recklessly while attempting to elude the deputy…”, yet the officer “determined there were no legal grounds to pursue the vehicle”?