Washington sheriff's sergeant uses vehicle to stop stolen truck

Kelso, Wash. – The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy was on patrol near Todd Road and Robb Road in Kalama, Washington on Sunday afternoon when he saw a blue Ford truck with no license plate exit Interstate 5.

CCSO said the deputy tried to stop the vehicle, but it sped off and re-entered the freeway. As the truck tried to take exit 32, a police officer successfully spiked two tires with a spike strip.

Deputies said despite the damage, the vehicle continued on and crossed the freeway. It headed north in the southbound lanes at a high rate of speed — nearly causing several collisions. Sheriff’s Sergeant Troy Brightbill saw the truck coming toward him and sped up to intercept. The truck turned toward Sgt. Brightbill in a clear attempt to ram him, but a collision was avoided.

According to CCSO, another deputy used the PIT maneuver to cause the truck to spin out, but it continued to flee. Sgt. Brightbill eventually crashed into the suspect’s vehicle, fully disabling it.

The driver, identified by deputies as 30-year-old Konstantin Y. Voyevodin, was booked into jail on charges of felony eluding, assault, possession of stolen property, and driving while suspended. His passenger was also arrested. Deputies said the truck was stolen.

Sgt. Brightbill was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and released.

Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson said, “This is the kind of high-stakes work our officers do every day. Had the deputies allowed these criminals to continue, someone surely would have died. Today, the good guys won, and we’re grateful for the assistance from Kalama Police and the Washington State Patrol.”