I-82 chase ends in flames. Deputies pull driver from burning car near Benton City
A suspected drunk driver led police on a chase with a fiery ending Thursday morning on Interstate 82 just outside Benton City.
The fiery crash shut down both lanes of westbound Interstate 82 about 11 a.m. and forced traffic onto the shoulder, according to dispatch reports.
Deputies responded to a call about a vehicle driving recklessly, swerving and hitting a semi truck on I-82 near Badger Road.
The deputies spotted the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop because they suspected the driver was intoxicated.
The driver ignored the deputies and kept going. A pursuit began, as the driver continued westbound at about 60 mph and swerving, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
A Kiona-Benton school resource officer deployed spike strips about 10:50 a.m., but the driver did not stop after hitting it. He continued driving on the blown out tires until leaving the roadway and crashing in the median.
The vehicle caught fire, igniting sagebrush in the median, but the driver refused to exit. Deputies were able to pull the man out of the burning car and take him into custody.
No one was hurt.
The man is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and narcotics, according to the sheriff’s office.
This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 11:26 AM.