A passenger in a Dodge Charger that crashed into a cement barrier in the Olympia area at speeds well over 100 mph on Saturday is in critical condition, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO).
The driver, identified in Thurston County Superior Court documents as Xavier Emmanuel Adesimilolu, 22, was arrested for vehicular assault, reckless driving and reckless endangerment.
Adesimilolu is an active duty military member, according to Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders.
He hit his head on the windshield during the crash and was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance prior to being booked into the Thurston County Jail, according to court documents.
The critically injured passenger, identified as Adesimilolu’s brother and an active duty military member, “appears to have been paralyzed from the collision,” Sanders said in a social media post Saturday night. He was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital for medical treatment.
“We are hoping the critically injured victim makes the fullest recovery possible,” Sanders said.
Both Adesimilolu and his brother had firearms on their persons at the time of the crash.
A third occupant of the vehicle, a female in the front passenger’s seat identified as Adesimilolu’s wife, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital for treatment.
A fourth occupant, a rear passenger identified as an “extremely intoxicated” male, refused medical assistance.
The crash occurred on Martin Way at the bottom of the Nisqually Hill at shortly after 8:52 p.m. A TCSO deputy clocked the Charger traveling 60 mph in a 35 mph zone in the 9300 block of Martin Way East, according to Sanders and charging documents filed in Thurston County Superior Court.
The deputy had been preparing to make a U-turn, but aborted the turn to follow the Charger. The deputy didn’t activate his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights due to the distance between the patrol car and the charger, according to court documents.
After passing the patrol car, Adesimilolu allegedly accelerated to speeds well over 100 mph and proceeded eastbound on Martin Way East down Nisqually Hill.
He allegedly swerved around another vehicle, but lost control and crashed head-on into a concrete barrier near the Interstate 5 on-ramp.
Adesimilolu reportedly exited the vehicle immediately after the crash and ran to the passenger’s side.
At the same time, his brother also reportedly tried to get out of the vehicle. He reportedly fell to the ground “screaming in pain, hyperventilating, and advising he couldn’t feel or move his legs,” according to court documents.
When questioned by a deputy about the crash, Adesimilolu allegedly said he had just pulled out of an apartment complex in the 100 block of Cooper Lane Southeast en route to a car meet. After blowing by the deputy and starting down the hill, the female passenger reportedly told Adesimilolu to slow down.
Adesimilolu said he stepped on the brakes, but they weren’t working. Unable to stop, he said he swerved around another car before he lost control and crashed into the barrier.
The vehicle reportedly had a fake plate on it that reads “NOT 5.0” and a trunk mounted camera gimble, equipment that when combined, Sanders said, is often utilized by individuals who record themselves taunting or fleeing from police at high speeds.
Adesimilolu had a preliminary hearing in Thurston County Superior Court scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26.
