http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Pierce-County-police-chase-ends-in-deadly-car-crash-277006461.html
Pierce County police chase ends in deadly car crash
»Play Video SPANAWAY, Wash. -- A Wednesday afternoon police chase involving two stolen cars ended in a violent crash that killed an accused car thief and his 19-year-old girlfriend.
A Tacoma resident called 911 at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday to say her 19-year-old daughter's boyfriend had left a stolen white Honda inside her garage, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
The woman called back 10 minutes later to say the boyfriend, later identified as 22-year-old Brew Baker, had returned to the house to pick up the stolen car. He, along with the homeowner's daughter, Krista Case, got into the white Honda and drove away, as did the black Honda that dropped the boyfriend off.
The homeowner said both cars were headed in the direction of Pacific.
At about 2:30 p.m., a Pierce County deputy spotted both cars at 152nd Street and 22nd Avenue. The two Hondas then split up, with the black car continuing on 152nd and the white car taking 22nd.
The deputy ran the license plates and learned both cars had been reported stolen.
The deputy followed the black car westbound on 152nd, while another deputy quickly caught up with the white Honda at 22nd and Military Road. Baker, who was driving the white Honda, spotted the deputy and sped off with the deputy in pursuit, according to the sheriff's office.
Deputies say Baker was driving erratically, making multiple lane changes before crashing into another car at 152nd and Brookdale Road.
Both Baker and Case where killed, according to Detective Ed Troyer with the Pierce County sheriff's office.
Troyer said Baker had a long criminal history.
"We know who the driver is. He's a prolific car thief. He's been in jail multiple times for the same thing. Unfortunately he had a 19 year old girl with him when this occurred," Troyer said.
Baker's aunt, Brandi Lakey, was at the scene of Wednesday's crash. She said despite his troubled history, Baker was loved by his family and will be missed.
"We love him a lot. We'll miss him forever and ever," said Baker's aunt, Brandi Lakey. "He might have got mixed up in the wrong stuff, but I know his heart was in the right place. He was trying. I'm gonna miss him."
The driver of the second vehicle was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Troyer called it a "tragic day" for Case's mother.
"She did call us and there were some stolen vehicles and unfortunately her daughter fled in one of the stolen vehicles," he said.
At roughly the same time as the crash, deputies stopped the black Honda on 153rd and Military Road. The driver was arrested without incident.
A Tacoma resident called 911 at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday to say her 19-year-old daughter's boyfriend had left a stolen white Honda inside her garage, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
The woman called back 10 minutes later to say the boyfriend, later identified as 22-year-old Brew Baker, had returned to the house to pick up the stolen car. He, along with the homeowner's daughter, Krista Case, got into the white Honda and drove away, as did the black Honda that dropped the boyfriend off.
The homeowner said both cars were headed in the direction of Pacific.
At about 2:30 p.m., a Pierce County deputy spotted both cars at 152nd Street and 22nd Avenue. The two Hondas then split up, with the black car continuing on 152nd and the white car taking 22nd.
The deputy ran the license plates and learned both cars had been reported stolen.
The deputy followed the black car westbound on 152nd, while another deputy quickly caught up with the white Honda at 22nd and Military Road. Baker, who was driving the white Honda, spotted the deputy and sped off with the deputy in pursuit, according to the sheriff's office.
Deputies say Baker was driving erratically, making multiple lane changes before crashing into another car at 152nd and Brookdale Road.
Both Baker and Case where killed, according to Detective Ed Troyer with the Pierce County sheriff's office.
Troyer said Baker had a long criminal history.
"We know who the driver is. He's a prolific car thief. He's been in jail multiple times for the same thing. Unfortunately he had a 19 year old girl with him when this occurred," Troyer said.
Baker's aunt, Brandi Lakey, was at the scene of Wednesday's crash. She said despite his troubled history, Baker was loved by his family and will be missed.
"We love him a lot. We'll miss him forever and ever," said Baker's aunt, Brandi Lakey. "He might have got mixed up in the wrong stuff, but I know his heart was in the right place. He was trying. I'm gonna miss him."
The driver of the second vehicle was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Troyer called it a "tragic day" for Case's mother.
"She did call us and there were some stolen vehicles and unfortunately her daughter fled in one of the stolen vehicles," he said.
At roughly the same time as the crash, deputies stopped the black Honda on 153rd and Military Road. The driver was arrested without incident.
