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To make the stereotype even worse, a BMW driver in Washington just did much more than drive aggressively. After refusing to stop for a trooper, State Police decided to pull out Smokey, its aviation unit, which was already in the area. It tracked the Beemer all over town…and the driver into Green River.

About a week ago, at around 8 p.m., a state trooper flagged down the speeding BMW

Instead of complying with the traffic stop, the driver fled. WSP says it clocked the car moving at 103 mph. The trooper did not pursue the vehicle.

These days, declining the pursuit of high-speed or even stolen cars isn’t abnormal. More and more police departments cite the risk of injury or death to the suspect, the pursuing officers, and people in the surrounding community.

Smokey, though, hovered over the speeding BMW as it made its way from Kent to Black Diamond, Washington, and back.

At one point, the suspect passed another car, nearly causing a head-on collision with opposing traffic

Ultimately, the driver ditched the vehicle…and jumped into Green River. Smokey’s heat-seeking camera kept their location crystal clear.

Considering all known circumstances, here, the BMW driver would likely face a charge of Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, classified as a Class C felony. This can bring up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. There would also likely be a Reckless Driving charge, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. And that’s without knowing about any other warrants, prior offenses, or possible probation violations.

Authorities arrested the subject, wet, tired, and facing more charges than a speeding violation. “Don’t flee from police, the results are not worth it just to avoid a ticket – it’s not a game,” WSP Aviation warned other drivers.

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Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy is the Editor-in-Chief of MotorBiscuit. She joined the team as Managing Editor in 2021 and has more than 20 years of automotive and operations expertise. She held ASE certifications as an Automotive Service Consultant and Parts Specialist and was a licensed car salesperson for many years. Sarah often focuses on helping drivers navigate used car buying and vehicle ownership. She created “Shop Smarts,” a column for MOTOR Magazine, and was a contributor there for eight years. Her work earned her a Gold Medalist award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 2014 and Bronze Medalist awards from the International Automotive Media Competition in 2014 and 2015. She attended the Automotive Management Institute and earned her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.