A routine traffic stop turned into a foot chase and air search on Thursday, Nov. 12, when a driver failed to pull over for a routine traffic stop, then ditched his car at Island Center Forest and fled.

A King County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to pull over the driver at 7:11 p.m. Nov. 12. He was heading northbound on S.W. 103rd Avenue S.W. at 188th Street S.W., near Pacific Research, said Sgt. John Urquhart, spokesperson for the sheriff's department.

The man "failed to yield," and wouldn't pull over his vehicle, Urquhart said. The driver may have been drinking, he added.

The driver continued north on 103rd until he reached Island Center Forest, then stopped the car, got out and ran into the woods.

Deputies pursued the man on foot and called in air support — Washington State Patrol's "Smoky Four" airplane. The plane and deputies searched for the man, but were unable to find him.

The man's vehicle was impounded and the search called off later that night, Urquhart said.

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