Pierce County, WA major arrested for vehicular assault in serious Graham crash
Pierce County Major arrested in suspected DUI crash
A Pierce County Sheriff's Office major faces vehicular assault charges after allegedly causing a two-car rollover crash while driving under the influence on Saturday. Major Chad Dickerson, who refused a sobriety test, is on administrative leave as authorities await toxicology results.
GRAHAM, Wash. - A Pierce County Sheriff's Office major was arrested for vehicular assault in a serious, multi-injury crash, initially suspected of driving under the influence.
The backstory:
The crash happened on Saturday, July 12, at the intersection of 132nd Avenue East and 288th Street East in Graham.
It involved two vehicles, including Pierce County Sheriff's Office Major Chadwick Dickerson, who was driving alone, and another car that had three adults and three children inside. All were hospitalized following the crash.
Pierce County Major Chadwick Dickerson (Photo courtesy: Pierce County Sheriff's Office)
Washington State Patrol identified Dickerson as the causing driver in a press release Monday.
Timeline:
Dickerson reportedly crashed into the other vehicle while it was already in the intersection at around 3:45 p.m., court documents state. It was an uncontrolled intersection, meaning there were no stop signs or traffic signals.
Pierce County deputies arrived at the crash scene at around 4:25 p.m., and Washington State Patrol, the investigating agency, got there at around 5:15 p.m. According to an incident report from the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the scene was already cleaned up by the time troopers arrived to investigate.
While responding deputies said Dickerson claimed he was t-boned, WSP reports that he failed to yield the right of way and was struck by the other vehicle.
Additionally, troopers said Dickerson had an obvious smell of intoxicants, watery and bloodshot eyes, and refused to perform voluntary field sobriety tests, contradicting deputies' initial reports. Dickerson allegedly said he had two vodka sodas while golfing and didn't feel like he was impaired.
Dickerson was subsequently placed under arrest for DUI, and later had his booking charges changed to vehicular assault after WSP learned a passenger in the other car had fractured ribs and a fractured back. Dickerson reportedly had three fractured ribs, a hematoma and a contusion.
Dickerson's blood was later drawn, with toxicology reports pending.
WSP says this is an ongoing investigation, and the agency has requested 911 calls, body-worn camera and dispatch reports surrounding the crash.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office has since responded to the incident, saying, in part:
"This is a deeply concerning matter, and our thoughts are with everyone impacted. The other vehicle that was hit, contained a family with children inside the vehicle. Our hearts are with the victims and the family during this incredibly painful and uncertain time. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and all those harmed in the incident."
Dickerson has been placed on administrative leave amid the investigation.
The Source: Information in this story came from probable cause documents from the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Patrol.
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