4 police cars crash in Everett

Four police patrol cars crashed early Wednesday morning while pursuing a suspected car thief in Everett.

All four officers were taken to the hospital. Three were treated and released, but one remained hospitalized for treatment of more serious injuries.

The crash involved two Snohomish County vehicles and two Everett police cars.

According to Everett police spokesman Sgt. Robert Goetz, a sheriff's car was chasing the suspect's car when it struck another sheriff's car on Broadway. One of the sheriff's vehicles spun and struck an Everett police cruiser and its officer, who was out of his car. He was pursing the suspect on foot because his car had struck the side of the road earlier. Goetz said the entire incident happened within seconds.

To avoid hitting any of the other police vehicles when he came upon the crash scene, a fourth car, driven by an Everett officer, struck a concrete planter.

Goetz said one officer was treated for broken fingers when his air bag deployed after it hit the concrete planter. The officer who was struck while in foot pursuit was still in the hospital Wednesday with two broken wrists and a broken knee.

The suspect, from Seattle, was apprehended, said Goetz, and was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of auto theft.

Goetz said Snohomish County deputies had been searching for the suspect, a felon, in other auto thefts.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com