URGENT UPDATE: Major Chad Dickerson of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has officially announced his retirement following serious charges of DUI and vehicular assault. This announcement comes just days after he was charged with two counts related to a crash that left multiple family members injured in Graham, Washington.
On July 12, 2023, Dickerson, while off-duty, allegedly drove his Ram pickup truck under the influence, failing to yield at an intersection and colliding with a Ford Expedition that had the right-of-way. The crash injured a family of six, including three young children aged 8, 4, and 3, and their grandmother, who sustained a fractured vertebra and multiple broken ribs. Neighbors rushed to assist the victims after hearing the impact.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Dickerson’s retirement takes effect on October 24, 2023. In light of these developments, Sheriff Keith Swank has initiated an internal investigation into the deputies who responded to the scene. Reports indicate that body cameras were turned off and debris was cleared before state troopers arrived, raising serious questions about the investigation’s integrity.
According to court documents, investigators detected an odor of alcohol and noted Dickerson’s bloodshot eyes at the scene. A blood draw conducted nearly four hours post-accident revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.091, exceeding Washington’s legal limit.
Dickerson is scheduled for a court appearance on November 6, 2023, for the vehicular assault case, where the community will be watching closely. This incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, particularly regarding the actions of law enforcement during the initial investigation.
As this story develops, the implications for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the affected family continue to unfold. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this incident, as the investigation into the handling of the case remains ongoing.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available on this critical situation.
