VIDEO: WA Officer Jumps in Patrol Car Trunk to Avoid Deadly Vehicle Strike During Pursuit

A Spokane County (WA) Sheriff's Office Deputy was almost hit after trying to help stop a high speed car chase Friday on Interstate 90 near the Spokane Valley Mall. 

Video footage shows Deputy Sky Ortiz laying down spike strips on the freeway. The suspect's white pick-up races onto the screen, swerves around the deputy's vehicle and nearly collides with him. Deputy Ortiz jumped into the car's open trunk to escape being hit by the pick-up.

"Definitely just wanted to get to a safer location and get a little bit between me and him," Deputy Ortiz said. "Only thing I had at the time was the trunk."

SCSO Deputy Mark Gregory identified the suspect as Jorel Fultz. This is the same man who faced assault charges after an altercation with a member of the television show "Deadliest Catch," KREM TV reports.

Officials said the car chase initially started on Sprague Avenue and Argonne Road when police were trying to arrest the suspect for felony firearm charges. The chase eventually ended near the Idaho stateline. Spokane Valley Police, Spokane County Sheriff's Office and Kootenai County Sheriff's Office were all involved. Police said they had to use a K-9 to apprehend the suspect after he ran away from his car.