UPDATED: Tacoma Driver Charged with Eluding Police, Reckless Driving, Drug Possession

The 27-year-old male driver who was involved in the two-car collision on Thursday was arraigned in Pierce County Superior Court on Friday.

The Tacoma man was charged with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, reckless driving and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, according to the Pierce County website.

The incident sent four people to the hospital and caused heavy traffic.

According to Gig Harbor Police, they were contacted of an erratic car traveling westbound State Highway 16 around 12:40 p.m. on Dec. 22.

The officer waited for the subject's white 1983 Oldsmobile on the 24th Street ramp, where the man was located driving 35 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Officials said several cars had to swerve out of the way to avoid his slow rate. They also said the suspect was swerving in and out of his lane and crossing onto the right shoulder.

When the officer activated his lights and siren, the suspect sped up to about 85 mph while swerving in the lanes.

The chase ended when the suspect's car struck a Ford Explorer that was traveling west of Olympic Drive NW with two children inside.

The 42-year-old Gig Harbor male driver was transported to Tacoma General Hospital. He was not wearing his seat belt. The two male passengers, ages 8 and 13, were taken to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Officials said they were both wearing seat belts. According to officials, the driver and passengers on the Explorer suffered minor injuries.

The suspect was transported to St. Josephs Hospital for blood testing. DUI charges are pending lab results, police said.

During the investigation, officials found two small bags of marijuana, cocaine and another unknown drug on the suspect. They also found a small silver window punch.

--- Originally reported ---

The collision on State Highway 16 sent four people to the hospital and caused heavy traffic on Thursday.

Around 12:50 p.m., authorities were pursuing a 27-year-old male driver from Tacoma on westbound State Highway 16. The chase ended when the suspect's car struck another car that was traveling west of Olympic Drive NW with two children inside.

The 42-year-old Gig Harbor man was transported to Tacoma General Hospital. He was not wearing his seat belt. The two male passengers, ages 8 and 13, were taken to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Officials said they were both wearing seat belts. The statuses of the victims are unknown.

The suspect was transported to St. Josephs Hospital.

Authorities said reckless driving and DUI were the causes for the incident. Charges are still pending against the Tacoma driver.