Suspect, deputy crash during car chase

A South Kitsap man was arrested early Sunday morning after both he and a Kitsap County deputy pursuing him crashed their cars during a high-speed chase that spanned two counties and more than 30 minutes.

According to the incident report filed by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department, Joseph T. Easton sped off in his 1989 Honda Civic after failing to pull over when a deputy tried to stop him on Baby Doll Road near Horstman Road in South Kitsap around 1:36 a.m.

At least one more deputy joined the pursuit, as Easton allegedly ran 11 stop signs and a red light on largely empty rural roads through Kitsap and Pierce Counties.

According to the deputies, the suspect turned off his headlights several times in an attempt to flee, as well.

After failing to stop the suspect with spike strips, the second patrol car struck an embankment and flipped over, landing on its top. The deputy was helped from his vehicle and was not seriously injured.

The chase was called off after the second deputy crashed, but soon afterward the first deputy discovered the suspect had flipped his vehicle near the intersection of Olalla Valley Road and Ebbert Road.

According to the deputy, Easton exited his vehicle, ignored commands to stay put and began to walk toward the officer.

He was quickly subdued by the officer and placed under arrest.

Easton was transported to Harrison Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.

At his arraignment Monday, he pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to elude a police officer.

The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash of the patrol car, while the Washington State Patrol is investigating the suspect’s crash.

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