Yakima police have identified the man who rammed his car into two law enforcement vehicles Friday night while trying to elude police and died as a result of injuries sustained when he was shot by a Yakima Police Department (“YPD”) officer.
Terence Ryan, whose last known address was in Naches, was reported to be driving erratically in the general area of 40th Avenue and Summitview at about 9:30 pm on Friday,December 14th. Ryan was also driving his vehicle without the lights turned on.
Shortly after the report wasreceived, YPD officers and Yakima County Sheriff’s office (“YSO”)deputies located Ryan’s vehicle in the area of 66th Avenue and Century Street. During an attempted traffic stop, the suspect vehicle hit a YPD patrol car and a YSD patrol car.
After it hit the YPD patrol car and the YSO patrol car, YPD Officer Scott Gronewald, a 6-year veteran of theYPD, fired shots at Ryan’s vehicle. An undetermined number of shots struck Ryan.
Ryan, who was 66-years-old, died at the scene.
In accordance with YPD policy, Gronewald was placed on paid administrative leave after Friday night’s incident. An investigation of the incident is being conducted by the Yakima Valley Special Investigative Unit, which is made up of law enforcement professionals from throughout Central Washington.
Additional information regarding this incident may be provided when it is available.