Speeding motorcyclist taunts state trooper trapped in crashed car

A state trooper rolled his car multiple times while chasing two reckless motorcyclists, one of whom returned to the scene just to rub salt into the wounds of the trooper.

The incident happened on the northbound ramp from Interstate 5 to State Route 599 at approximately 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Trooper Cliff Pratt said the trooper was chasing the motorcyclists, who were speeding dangerously and getting too close to cars, when his vehicle rolled several times, finally landing in a ditch alongside the ramp.

"It's infuriating when all we're trying to do is enforce the laws in the state of Washington and protect the public, said Pratt. "Obviously these motorcycles traveling at 100 miles per hour with no regard for the safety of anybody else is a huge problem for us in this area."

Injured and bleeding, the trooper, who was trapped inside his car, managed to call 911 on his cell phone.

As he waited for help to arrive, one of the motorcyclists he'd been chasing returned to the scene, Pratt said. The motorcyclist parked across the street, approached the mangled patrol car on foot, then laughed and clapped at the trooper before speeding off.

"Now you're talking about a state trooper who rolled his car several times. He's obviously injured, pinned inside his vehicle and you've got a couple of motorcyclists who really don't care whether this trooper lives or dies at this point, to the point where they think it's funny," Pratt said.

Investigators believe they have the motorcyclists' registration information, Pratt said, and they are searching for the two people. No description was available.

The trooper was pulled out of his car by emergency crews and taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries, including a head injury. He has been identified as 46-year-old Brian Salyer of Spanaway. He is a 22-year veteran of the force.