Kent Police detained a 40-year-old Cleveland, Ohio, man early Friday morning, Aug. 21 after officers responded to a report of a box van being driven erratically near West Willis Street and SR 167.
Police said a witness called 911 at 2:07 a.m. to report a box van “driving very erratically” near 68th Ave South and South 220th Street (map below). The caller kept the van in sight until it was eastbound on Willis Street near 74th Ave South.
The van stopped, allowing the caller to speak with the driver and tell him to shut off the truck. The driver responded that he needed aid, stayed in place for a time, then began to pull away as patrol officers arrived.
Officers reported that the driver’s behavior was unstable and said they believed he may have been impaired by drugs or alcohol. As officers tried to speak with him, he began barricading himself inside the van, at times starting to get out before changing his mind.
Police said officers noticed the van was in drive and stopped traffic in both directions on West Willis Street to protect motorists. Because the van was stopped near ramps to state Route 167, Kent police also notified the Washington State Patrol for assistance in case the driver headed toward the highway.
According to police, officers discussed how to stop the van if it began moving, noting that PIT maneuvers typically do not work on larger vans and tire deflation devices can have mixed success. Police said their biggest concern was preventing a box van with a possibly impaired driver from entering traffic.
Officers eventually deployed pepper spray and took the driver into custody, police said.
The box van was registered in Ohio, and the owner was contacted by phone. Police said the owner knew the vehicle was out but did not know it was in Washington.
The driver was not in a mental state to be booked and was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to police. Investigators said it was not yet known whether his behavior was caused by impairment, mental instability or both. A decision on possible charges will be made after that is determined.
“Great job by the officers patiently working through their options while protecting both the driver and the motoring public,” police said. “Thank you to the 911 caller. You probably saved a life.”
