Authorities have arrested a Tacoma man accused of offering nitrous oxide canisters, commonly known as whippets, to Seattle firefighters, and then repeatedly ramming his car into their fire engine after they refused.
The incident occurred on August 3, when Seattle firefighters were stopped in traffic on Second Avenue near Blanchard Street. According to law enforcement, the man approached and offered the firefighters whippets, but when they declined, he became aggressive. Surveillance video captured the suspect’s silver Honda slamming into the fire truck multiple times before speeding away.
The 38-year-old suspect, who has not yet been formally charged, was apprehended by Kent police officers three days later on August 6. Officers stated that he was armed at the time of arrest, but lacked a valid Concealed Pistol License.
Police say the man was first located outside his workplace in Fife. When officers attempted to pursue him earlier, the chase had to be terminated after the driver reportedly began brake-checking and reversing aggressively toward pursuing patrol units, a tactic described by Kent Police Department as particularly dangerous.
Investigators also revealed that the suspect had at least two prior encounters with police earlier in the summer. In one case, he allegedly broke into a tow yard in late June, trying to retrieve his impounded vehicle before fleeing from officers on sight. Just days after that, he was reportedly seen driving recklessly on Pacific Highway South in Kent. While a pursuit was initiated, it was soon halted out of concern for public safety.
At the time of his arrest, officers documented visible damage on the rear bumper of the suspect’s Honda, which matched the section of the vehicle seen repeatedly striking the Seattle fire truck.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether formal charges will be filed, but the investigation remains active.
