”
On September 17, 2014, at approximately 1:30 pm, Washington State Patrol (WSP) communications began receiving reports of an erratically driven vehicle westbound on Interstate 90 from Broadway Ave. Multiple citizens called 911 reporting that the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed and was making erratic lane changes. The first WSP trooper observed the vehicle westbound on Interstate 90 from the top of the Sunset Hill. Troopers activated their emergency lights and sirens but the driver did not stop. A check of the vehicle registration revealed that the registered owner of the vehicle had four previous DUI convictions and his driver’s license was revoked in the first degree.
Due to the registered owner’s extensive driving history and the driver’s extremely dangerous driving, troopers continued the pursuit. Troopers reported speeds between 40 and 110 mph. Traffic and weather conditions are always a consideration during pursuits and it was determined to be ideal conditions for troopers to continue to attempt to remove this dangerous driver from the roadway. As the pursuit continued westbound into the Ritzville area, WSP communications dispatched a single engine Cessna airplane from Ephrata. Once the WSP aircraft was overhead, troopers on the ground gave the vehicle more space in an attempt to lower the vehicle’s speeds so spike strips could be deployed.
A trooper deployed spike strips in front of the vehicle at milepost 202 (approximately 22 miles west of Ritzville) and was successful. The vehicle finally stopped at milepost 201 and the driver was taken into custody without incident. Troopers identified the driver as 52 year old, Scott Williams from Spokane Valley. Williams was placed into custody for Felony Eluding, Felony DUI, Reckless Driving, Driving with a Revoked Driver’s License and not having an ignition interlock as required. Williams was the registered owner of the vehicle driven in the pursuit and will be booked into the Adams County Jail.
This incident was very successful due to the professionalism by all involved. There were no injuries or collisions associated with the pursuit.”