The Washington State Patrol says a supervising lieutenant was injured when a man shoved her and fled in her marked vehicle.
SEATTLE — Prosecutors are weighing multiple felonies after a man allegedly shoved a Washington State Patrol lieutenant on Interstate 5 on Dec. 25, stole her marked SUV and led a chase through north Seattle before troopers forced the vehicle to a stop and arrested him on the shoulder.
The case has moved into the charging phase, with detectives completing reports and collecting video while King County prosecutors review robbery, assault, felony eluding, vehicle theft and DUI allegations. The suspect, identified in jail logs as Alexander Eugene Smith, 24, remained in custody Sunday. Authorities said Smith refused to appear for an initial hearing Friday, delaying the timeline for a formal charging decision that could come early this week once investigators finish paperwork and evidence checks.
Investigative summaries say troopers first encountered a pedestrian on the left shoulder near the North Northgate Way exit on Christmas Day. With emergency lights activated, a lieutenant and other troopers attempted to escort the man off the freeway. Video reviewed by law enforcement shows the man running to the idling patrol SUV, opening the driver’s door and pulling the lieutenant to the ground before climbing in and locking the doors. “The whole thing unfolded very quickly,” State Patrol spokesperson Chris Loftis said, noting traffic was steady with holiday drivers when the SUV entered the lanes.
Units from the State Patrol and Seattle police gave chase as the stolen SUV accelerated. Radio traffic captured supervisors authorizing a pursuit, and dash cameras recorded the vehicle weaving between slower cars. The chase ended on the right shoulder after troopers boxed in the SUV and a patrol car struck its rear to disable it. Officers took the driver into custody without shots fired. Medics treated the lieutenant for minor injuries, and no other motorists were reported hurt. Two patrol vehicles had visible damage from the stop, according to photographs taken at the scene.
Arrest paperwork states the suspect appeared confused and pale, with dilated pupils. Troopers reported finding two glass pipes with burned residue and wrote that the man admitted to smoking meth earlier in the day. He initially refused to identify himself; officers later recovered identification during a search. Investigators inventoried the recovered SUV and confirmed its radio and secured equipment were present. Detectives also pulled onboard video and requested traffic-camera footage from the state transportation department.
The State Patrol said freeway pedestrian contacts are routine but dangerous, particularly near Northgate’s tight on-ramps and short shoulders. Agency leaders said they would conduct an after-action review of tactics used during the stop and the initial pedestrian contact. The last time a marked cruiser was stolen on a Puget Sound freeway, policy updates followed on positioning vehicles and removing keys during roadside encounters. Officials did not immediately release the lieutenant’s name, citing safety and personnel rules.
King County prosecutors said they expect to decide charges after receiving final reports and lab submissions. A weekend calendar set a Saturday appearance following the refusal to appear Friday; court records will reflect any rescheduled time. If filed, charges would be read at a first appearance, where a judge could address bail and any no-contact orders. The defense would receive discovery, including video from the cruiser and traffic cameras, and a probable cause document summarizing the freeway stop.
On the freeway shoulder Friday, investigators measured skid marks and photographed damage before tow trucks moved the vehicles. Northbound traffic briefly slowed, then returned to normal. “It was scary to see police cars pin another police car,” said Rina Patel, who was driving to a family dinner. By Saturday, the recovered SUV had been secured at a State Patrol facility for evidence processing, and the lieutenant had been released after medical checks, officials said.
As of Sunday night, Smith remained in the King County jail while prosecutors reviewed the case. Officials said the next update could come Monday with charging documents or a revised hearing time.
Author note: Last updated December 28, 2025.