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Spokane – Law enforcement from two states and multiple agencies were involved in a pursuit overnight that resulted in two arrests and minor injuries to a Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper. Christofer McNeill, 23 years old, was booked into the Spokane County Jail for felony eluding, possession of stolen vehicle, DUI and reckless endangerment after a chase that covered over 100 miles at speeds in excess of 100 MPH.
Just before midnight, WSP communications was advised that a pursuit that was initiated in Idaho was approaching the state line on SR195 in Whitman County. Idaho State Police troopers were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle and the driver was suspected of DUI. After entering Washington, the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement pursued the vehicle until they lost sight of in on SR 195 near Rosalia.
WSP troopers in Spokane first made contact with the suspect vehicle as it passed Hatch Road still heading north on SR195. The vehicle speed was 108 mph as it proceeded north towards Interstate 90. Troopers unsuccessfully attempted to deploy spike strips. The suspect vehicle then proceeded east on Interstate 90 towards Spokane. The vehicle took the eastbound Hamilton off ramp and after failing to stop for multiple red lights, troopers terminated their involvement.
Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies reengaged the suspect vehicle as it traveled through downtown. Eventually the suspect vehicle made its way back onto Interstate 90 and at some point began driving the wrong way. The suspect was now traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 up the Sunset Hill from downtown. WSP troopers were following in the westbound lanes and observed the suspect exit onto US Highway 2, still traveling the wrong way.
The suspect then managed to get turned around and headed back westbound on Interstate 90. WSP troopers reengaged the pursuit as they approached SR 904. The suspect vehicle exited to SR 904 and headed westbound towards Cheney. Cheney Police officers attempted to deploy spike strips to stop the vehicle but were not successful. WSP troopers again terminated their involvement as the suspect entered the City of Cheney. After passing through the city, WSP troopers caught sight of the vehicle again as it headed westbound on SR 904. Multiple WSP troopers who had gone ahead on Interstate 90 were now in position on SR 904 near the Tyler interchange and had spike strips ready to intercept the suspect vehicle.
As the suspect vehicle approached the Tyler interchange, the suspect attempted to make a U-turn on SR 904 to avoid the spike strips. WSP troopers who were following immediately blocked the suspect’s escape route and collided with the suspect vehicle. Two suspects in the stolen vehicle were taken into custody without further incident. The trooper involved in the collision was transported to an area hospital for neck and back pain. The trooper was treated and released. There were no other injuries or collisions reported.
The WSP would like to thank all the law enforcement officers that assisted in removing this dangerous driver from our roadways.
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Trooper Jeff Sevigney
Public Information & Motor Officer