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On June 28th, 2014, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Lawler was conducting traffic patrols in the area of Hwy 902 and Stanley Rd. An attempted traffic stop for speeding ended with the drive being arrested for 2 felonies and a misdemeanor.
At approximately 3:35 p.m., Deputy Lawler noticed a red truck pull out from the gas station and travel east on Hwy. 902. Radar showed the truck was travelling 43 mph in a posted 30 mph zone. Deputy Lawler pulled in behind the truck, activated his lights and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver of the truck, later identified as 40-year-old Nathan R. McGarrah, accelerated to over 50 mph. Unsure if McGarrah accelerated due to the speed limit change or he was attempting to run, Deputy Lawler continued to follow with his emergency lights on. McGarrah turned on his turn signal and turned onto Keene Rd. in front of a SUV, almost causing a collision. Deputy Lawler, now with his lights and siren on continued to follow. McGarrah then turned sharply into a field. He continued across the field and behind a house where he stopped his vehicle. McGarrah jumped out of his vehicle as Deputy Lawler arrived and ordered him to get onto the ground. McGarrah stopped and began yelling he couldn’t be arrested on his own property. Deputy Lawler continued to order McGarrah to get on the ground and after several attempts, he finally complied. Deputy Lawler placed McGarrah in handcuffs and could immediately smell an odor of an alcohol coming from him.
After being advised of his rights and that he was being arrested for attempting to elude law enforcement, McGarrah told Deputy Lawler he had been drinking and didn’t stop because he didn’t want to have his truck towed. Deputy Lawler noticed McGarrah’s speech was slurred and he continued to become very angry. When Deputy Lawler told McGarrah he was going to be booked into jail, McGarrah stated he couldn’t go to jail because his 3-month-old son was alone inside the residence. McGarrah said he went to the store to get some beer and was on his way home when Deputy Lawler tried to stop him.
A short time later, McGarrah’s wife pulled into the driveway and contacted Deputy Lawler. They entered the residence and confirmed the baby was inside and uninjured.
McGarrah was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for felony charges of Attempting to Elude and Abandonment of a Dependent Person 1st degree. He was also charged for Driving Under the Influence, a misdemeanor.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
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