Local Law Firms Home > Car Accident News > Off-Duty State Trooper is Involved in Hit-and-Run Accident Court records reveal that the victim said Bertholf hit the left rear of her car as he swerved into the shoulder, coming from behind at a speed of approximately 40 mph. The woman driving the struck car was taken to the hospital with injuries that weren’t too serious, Huss said. Bertholf, who was operating his personal SUV, continued to drive northbound on I-5 and was followed by another driver who was on the phone to the State Patrol, Huss said. As listed in court records: An on-duty state trooper located Bertholf on I-5 and followed him to Portland Avenue, where he attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Bertholf then switched lanes and sped away at up to approximately 50 mph. He began swerving through traffic, weaving and crossing over the center lane divider and almost colliding into the raised center median several times, the trooper stated in the documents. Bertholf stopped near East 34th Street and tossed the keys out of his car, at which point the pursuing state trooper approached the vehicle and recognized him as a person he used to work with. Bertholf recognized the pursuing state trooper too and began cussing at him. He was arrested and eventually booked into the Pierce County Jail. The pursuing state trooper reported that Bertholf had the smell of intoxicants on his breath and that he was “uneasy” and unstable while standing. Bertholf did not give an “honest effort” during a breath test, which was recorded as a refusal, the records indicate. Blood test results to determine if Bertholf was intoxicated at the time are currently pending. The court set bail at $35,000. Did you know? Hit-and-run accidents can result in very serious charges. These charges can be particularly severe if you were intoxicated at the time of the incident. |