Sovereign Citizen's Slow-Speed Chase Ends in PIT Maneuver and Arrest

Key Takeaways

• Police initiated a stop after spotting a car without headlights at night.
• The driver repeatedly pulled over before continuing down the road.
• Officers ended the pursuit with a PIT maneuver and made an arrest.
• The driver claimed to be a sovereign citizen and refused to comply with police.
• The pursuit was unusually slow, with the driver creeping along at 25 mph.

The Traffic Stop

According to the Hoquiam Police Department, an officer spotted a car heading northbound on Lincoln Street at around 10:11 p.m. with no headlights illuminated despite the darkness.

The vehicle, which appears to be a Hyundai Accent, was also moving below the posted speed limit, something officers say can sometimes indicate an impaired driver.

The Pursuit

After the officer initiated a stop, the driver pulled over, then drifted back into traffic and carried on down the road.

Rather than escalating into a high-speed chase, the pursuit reportedly remained at a snail’s pace.

The PIT Maneuver

Eventually, the Hoquiam officer performed a PIT maneuver, which successfully stopped the vehicle.

The driver was taken into custody, and the officers discovered that her actions weren’t due to intoxication, medication, or drowsiness.

The Sovereign Citizen Claim

Instead, she allegedly insisted that the officers had no authority over her, claiming to be a sovereign citizen.

This excuse carried exactly zero weight with the officers, with Interim Chief Jeff Salstrom stating that she was simply wrong.

Training and Response

Salstrom praised the officers and deputies involved, highlighting their calm radio communications and noting that local agencies regularly train together on emergency vehicle operations.

In this case, that training paid off, even if the pursuit itself unfolded at a pace more commonly associated with a neighborhood bicycle ride than a police chase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sovereign citizen?

A sovereign citizen is a member of a movement whose followers often argue that they are not subject to government laws, courts, licensing requirements, or law enforcement authority.

What is a PIT maneuver?

A PIT maneuver is a driving technique used by law enforcement to stop a fleeing vehicle by tapping the rear bumper, causing the vehicle to spin out of control.

How fast was the pursuit?

The pursuit was unusually slow, with the driver creeping along at 25 mph.