Armed robbery suspects struck by truck at University Place intersection while fleeing from deputies

Two suspects accused of robbing a Walmart in Lakewood were hit by a truck while fleeing from deputies on Tuesday, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

Dispatchers alerted University Place deputies of the armed robbery at the Walmart on Bridgeport Way at 11:17 a.m.

According to PSCO, the suspect vehicle was headed towards University Place when deputies located it on Bridgeport Way and 27th Street West.

Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but it continued south on Bridgeport Way.

The suspect vehicle was then T-boned by a pickup truck traveling south on 67th Avenue West, as they failed to stop at a red light at the intersection of 35th Street West and 67th Avenue West.

Paramedics were called to the scene and the two suspects had to be cut out of their vehicle.

Both suspects were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

The 66-year-old driver of the pickup truck was up and walking following the collision, but he was transported to a hospital for a medical condition.

The roadway was closed except for southbound traffic while traffic deputies responded to the scene of the crash.

Pierce County and University Place Maintenance and Operations also responded to the scene to repair a traffic signal which was knocked out after a power box was hit in the collision.

The Lakewood Police Department will be leading the investigation into the armed robbery.