It was like watching a movie:' Deputies looking for man who stole car while driver helped crash victims

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. - Authorities in Snohomish County are asking for help in finding a man accused of stealing and then crashing several cars all on the same day. 

Joyce Salvador said she was trying to help people involved in a crash on Feb. 24 when her vehicle was stolen. She said she witnessed a head-on crash, the driver of a black Chevy Cruze nearly hitting her, before crashing into a truck at 188th St SE and Highway 9.

"It was awful. It was like watching a movie," Salvador said. 

Then, as she went out to check on the victims, the driver of the Chevy Cruze circled back, jumped into her vehicle and sped off. 

"I left my car running because I wanted to make sure people were okay, and he got in my car and drove away," said Salvador. "I ran after the car, and I was screaming."

Investigators say the black Chevy Cruze that the man was driving was stolen. Salvador said didn't know any of that information at the time; she just sprang into action.

"I wanted to help, because that’s me, who I am," said Salvador.

Salvador and the crash victims called 911. She said about 45 minutes later, deputies told her they had found her stolen Subaru.

She said the driver had hit another car about five miles from the initial crash site and then went off the road and into a tree.

"The back tire that came off because he sideswiped another car and came across the road," said Salvador.

She said the accused thief nearly hit someone's home when he crashed her car.

Investigators say that the suspect wasn't done there. They say home security video showed him jumping fences afterward, trying to get away from law enforcement. 

Police say he eventually found a Chevy Traverse warming up in a driveway and stole that, too. He later crashed that SUV in the Bothell area, before reportedly stealing another vehicle. 

"It was super, super scary too, because I knew he was probably on something," said Salvador. "I’m really surprised he didn’t kill anybody, and thank God he didn’t."

Crime Stoppers is offering an up to $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. You can leave an anonymous tip through the P3 Tips App or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). 

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