Police detain ‘sovereign citizen’ after bizarre chase at 40 km/h
Sometimes police chases involve speeds over 160 km/h, spike strips on the road, and dramatic crashes. But sometimes they look different: a driver slowly moving at 40 km/h, pretending to stop, and then claiming that the laws do not apply to them. Such an incident occurred this week in Washington State, where a routine traffic stop turned into one of the slowest and most absurd chases of the year.
According to the Hoquiam Police Department, an officer spotted a vehicle traveling north on Lincoln Street around 10:11 p.m. without its headlights on, despite the darkness. The vehicle, resembling a Hyundai Accent, was also moving slower than the speed limit, which police say sometimes indicates an impaired driver.
Driver’s strange behavior during the stop
After the officer signaled for the driver to pull over, the female driver initially slowed down, but then merged back onto the road and continued driving. Instead of escalating into a high-speed chase, the pursuit remained at a ‘snail’s pace.’ Eventually, the officer performed a PIT maneuver, which successfully stopped the vehicle. But the oddities did not end there.
After detaining the female driver, officers realized that her actions were not caused by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue. Instead, she insisted that the police had no authority over her. She called herself a ‘sovereign citizen’ — a member of a movement whose followers often claim they are not subject to state laws, courts, licensing requirements, or law enforcement.
Interim Police Chief Jeff Salstrom described the situation in three words: ‘She was wrong.’
Police reaction and conclusions
Salstrom also praised the officers and deputies involved in the detention, noting their calm radio communications and the fact that local agencies regularly train together with emergency services. In this case, such training worked, even though the chase itself unfolded at a speed more characteristic of a bicycle ride than a police pursuit.
Photo: Hoquiam Police
This incident is a vivid example of how ideological beliefs can lead to absurd situations on the road. The ‘sovereign citizen’ movement is often based on pseudo-legal arguments that are not recognized by any court. Despite the driver attempting to avoid responsibility by referencing her own notions of the law, the police acted clearly and professionally, applying standard procedures. The PIT maneuver, although typically used to stop speeders, proved effective in this unusual situation as well, demonstrating that law enforcement techniques work regardless of the pursuit speed. It is important to note that such incidents underscore the need for constant police training for various scenarios, even those that seem comical at first glance.