April 2, 2023
YELM, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is investigating a collision involving Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders at the intersection of 153rd Avenue Southeast and Lawrence Lake Road Southeast this afternoon.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., Sheriff Sanders’ Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) patrol vehicle was traveling south on Lawrence Lake Rd SE when it collided with a Ford Ranger pickup truck traveling east on 153rd Ave SE and entering Lawrence Lake Rd SE.
Sheriff Sanders was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The driver of the Ford Ranger, a 29-year-old male from Roy, remained uninjured and was taken into custody for DUI by troopers at the scene. Due to the early stage of this investigation, no additional information regarding this collision is available at this time.
WSP investigators will continue to carefully and thoroughly review all information and evidence. Further details of this incident will be released as they become available.
The WSP will remain the primary contact for questions concerning this collision investigation. Please address inquiries regarding Sheriff Sanders to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
###