Drunk Vancouver traffic jumper stole truck, gets in 3-car crash: Police
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A person repeatedly jumped in front of traffic at a busy intersection in Clark County, took the truck of a stopped driver, and later caused a three-car crash near the Columbia Crossing Shopping Center in Vancouver on Jan. 21, the Vancouver Police Department said.
The suspect, 56-year-old Joseph Chappue of Portland, was first seen jumping in front of cars at the intersection of Northeast 139th Street and 20th Avenue in Clark County at approximately 1 p.m.
“A passerby got out of his truck to check on this person, was pushed to the ground and the suspect got into his truck and drove away,” the Vancouver Police Department said.
An hour later, Chappue was headed eastbound on Mill Plain Boulevard in Southeast Vancouver when he drove the stolen truck into the westbound lanes of traffic and hit a Honda Odyssey minivan head-on. The crash pushed the van into a red BMW 330XI, police said.
“The suspect attempted to climb out of the truck and get away but was stopped by a community member,” Vancouver police said. “Officers quickly arrived and took the suspect into custody.”
Chappue was arrested for two counts of vehicular assault, possession of a stolen vehicle, DUI and felony hit-and-run.
Two passengers in the van were hospitalized with injuries, including a broken elbow and spinal damage. The driver of the BMW suffered minor injuries. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.