DUI chase in Bellingham leads to charges of unlawful imprisonment, vehicular assault

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A pursuit on I-5 in Bellingham led to a crash and an arrest earlier this week.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Jacob Kennett said a car was seen speeding and driving erratically on I-5 southbound near Bakerview at around 11:15 pm Tuesday night, July 19th.

Troopers attempted to pull the car over, but the car continued to travel at a dangerous rate of speed.

A pursuit was initiated and troopers followed the car until it got off at the North Lake Samish Road exit.

WSP later found that the car had crashed into a tree.

Troopers had to break a window in order to save both the driver and a passenger, who claimed that the driver wouldn’t let her get out of the car.

The passenger sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital.

The driver, 26-year-old Esteven Delafuente, admitted that he had done drugs before getting behind the wheel.

He faces vehicular assault, unlawful imprisonment, and reckless driving charges, along with a DUI.