“Deputy Avoids Head-on Collision with Reckless Driver
On July 8th, 2015, a reckless driver, later identified as 30-year-old Jakob B. McMath almost struck a deputy’s marked patrol car and continued to drive recklessly as he tried to evade capture in North Spokane County. McMath was eventually arrested and booked into jail for several misdemeanor and felony charges for his actions during this incident.
At approximately 11:00 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Truman was traveling south on Fairview Road near Peone when he crest a small hill and noticed a SUV in the middle of the road heading toward him at a high rate of speed. Deputy Truman swerved toward the ditch to avoid a collision but was able to maintained control of his vehicle. He turned around to stop the vehicle but McMath accelerated and continued to drive recklessly. During the pursuit that followed, McMath ran several stop signs, continued to drive at high speeds, and at times, turned the vehicle’s lights off as he attempted to elude capture. In the area of Stoneman Road and Fairview, McMath slowed and went north, off-road, into an uncut wheat field. Deputy Truman watched McMath turn the vehicle lights off again as he drove through the field. With the high fire danger and very dry conditions, Deputy Truman stayed on the road and observed McMath exit the far end of the field and drive east on Peone. After losing sight of the vehicle, Deputy Truman began checking the area with the assistance of several additional deputies.
Deputies continued to try and locate McMath as several citizens called to report seeing a reckless driver in the area. At approximately 11:20 p.m., Deputy Stan Kravtsov and Deputy David Westlake, working as a two-deputy patrol unit, observed McMath driving without lights in the 17000 block of North Boston. A marked Washington State Patrol (WSP) vehicle attempted to stop McMath as they pulled in behind to assist. Again, McMath failed to stop and continued driving a short distance on Boston before pulling over into a ditch and fleeing on foot.
A short time later, McMath was found hiding in some bushes at a nearby residence and was quickly taken into custody without incident. McMath requested, and was provided, medical attention for an injury he sustained prior to this incident.
Deputies learned the vehicle McMath was driving was stolen from an acquaintance; he forced entry into a family member’s residence and took the victim’s phone and damaged fencing at Mountain View Middle School just prior to or during this incident.
McMath was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Robbery 2nd Degree, Malicious Mischief 1st Degree, Attempting to Elude Police, Resisting Arrest and Reckless Driving.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Officer ”