A multi-county law enforcement pursuit early Friday morning, January 16, ended in Grays Harbor County with the arrest of a Cosmopolis man following an incident involving reckless driving at extreme speeds.

According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy conducting traffic patrol near SE Lynch Road and U.S. Highway 101 attempted to stop a vehicle that had been observed driving recklessly and reportedly exceeding 100 miles per hour prior to police contact. The driver failed to yield, prompting a pursuit southbound on U.S. Highway 101 into Thurston County.

The pursuit continued onto Shaker Church Road SW, where deputies attempted a pursuit intervention technique, which was unsuccessful. Authorities say the driver then began using intentional countermeasures to prevent further intervention attempts. The pursuit proceeded westbound on State Route 8 into Grays Harbor County, traveling through the City of McCleary.

The incident came to an end near Hicklin Road and Elma McCleary Road when the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and became disabled on railroad tracks. Three occupants exited the vehicle and fled into a wooded area.

Law enforcement agencies from the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office, Elma Police Department, and Aberdeen Police Department responded to assist, including an Aberdeen Police Department drone operator who provided aerial support. A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit, K9 Mac and his handler, also responded to assist with tracking.

Despite earlier deployments that night, K9 Mac successfully located two of the fleeing passengers with assistance from the aerial drone. As deputies closed in on the final suspect, identified as the driver, the individual called 911 and surrendered to officers positioned along the perimeter.

The 25-year-old driver, a resident of Cosmopolis, was arrested and booked into the Mason County Jail on charges of Attempting to Elude and two counts of Reckless Endangerment – Domestic Violence. The two passengers were taken into custody on outstanding Grays Harbor County warrants.

Officials commended the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies and expressed appreciation to railroad workers who quickly provided heavy equipment, allowing tow operators to safely remove the disabled vehicle from the tracks.

The incident highlights the importance of interagency cooperation during high-risk pursuits spanning multiple jurisdictions.