Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
November 1, 2010
Contact:
Trooper Brandy Kessler, Tacoma
Phone:
(253) 538-3105
E-mail:
Brandy.Kessler@wsp.wa.gov
Road Rage Incident in Thurston County Leads to Gunfire and Arrest
Two men allegedly fired gun shots at another man and his passenger in Thurston County yesterday after the two drivers engaged in a road rage incident on State Route (SR) 101.
Around 9:05 p.m. last night Chad R. Parker a 22 year old from Olympia, was stopped on the right hand shoulder of southbound SR 101 in Mason County in his 1989 Ford pickup. Reed C. Boysen, a 22 year old living in Florida and originally from Olympia, was a passenger in Parker’s vehicle. Parker entered the roadway from the shoulder pulling in behind Donald Palmer, a 58 year old from Ethel, who was driving a 2007 Dodge Ram Utility Truck with his passenger, 48 year old Margaret Eldridge of Elma.
Parker drove up behind Palmer and was tailgating him until the one way road became a two way road. At that point Parker went around Palmer, pulling over in front of him and then slowed down. Palmer responded by flashing his lights, tailgating and honking his horn. These original alleged actions started a road rage incident that lasted into Thurston County.
When Palmer got to Mud Bay Road on SR 101 he heard what he thought sounded like a gunshot. As Parker and Palmer got to the Black Lake Blvd. exit, Parker pulled out a black handgun and fired shots at Palmer’s truck, striking it three times as he took the exit ramp. Palmer took the next exit and called 911.
It is believed that both Parker and his passenger Boysen fired rounds at Palmer’s truck. Olympia Police were able to apprehend Parker and Boysen, without incident, with the information received from the 9-1-1 call. State Patrol detectives were notified to take over the investigation. Parker and Boysen were booked into the Thurston County Jail on suspicion of Drive By Shooting. Additional charges, if any, will be determined on completion of the investigation.
Detectives were able to find impressions of 2 rounds on Palmer’s truck. There will be further investigation on a third round that was believed to have hit the truck. Two handguns were recovered; one was found under the driver seat and the other was found on Boysen. Parker’s truck was towed to the WSP bullpen in Tacoma and impounded as evidence. Detectives are asking any witnesses of this road rage incident to call the State Patrol at (253) 538-3172.
Fortunately in this incident no one was hurt, but the results could have been deadly. Captain Jeff DeVere states “Road Rage incidents such as this are completely avoidable. As motorists you cannot control traffic or control the actions of another driver, but you can control your own attitude and your own actions behind the wheel. It’s not worth your life or anyone else’s life just to have the last word.” If you find yourself in a situation where someone is driving aggressively around you, immediately call 911 and let us deal with the aggressive driver. If the person continues to follow you, go to a public area where there are witnesses or someone to help you if the person becomes violent. Remember you cannot control traffic or other driver’s behaviors, but you can control your own. Following is a list of safe driving behaviors that we should all be aware of:
- Overtake vehicles only on the left, NEVER the right
- Avoid blocking passing lanes
- Yield to faster traffic by moving to the right
- Maintain appropriate distance when following other motorists (a car should be able to pass safely between you and the car in front of you).
- Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles
- Use headlights in cloudy, rainy, and other low light conditions
- Come to a complete stop at stop signs, before right turn on red, etc.
- Approach intersections and pedestrians at slow speeds to show your intention and ability to stop
- Follow right of way rules at four-way stops
- Drive BELOW posted speed limits when conditions warrant
- Drive at slower speeds in construction zones
- Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes
- Make eye contact and signal intentions where needed
- Acknowledge intentions of others
- Use your horn sparingly and NEVER because you are angry at another driver
- Avoid unnecessary use of high beam headlights; NEVER flash high beams at another driver. If you need to warn a driver, turn your lights off and back on quickly
- Yield and move to the right for emergency vehicles
- Stay out of left lane when pulling a trailer or driving a vehicle over 10,000 GVW.
- Avoid returning inappropriate gestures
- Avoid challenging other drivers
- Never use HOV lanes to pass vehicles
- Avoid distracting activities (cell phone, eating, reading, shaving, putting on makeup)
- Never drive when your drowsy
- Avoid blocking right hand turn lane
- Avoid stopping in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other driver
- Avoid inflicting loud music on neighboring cars
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