Spokane County Government: Suspected Impaired Driver Arrested After Fleeing Traffic Stop

Spokane WA

15 April, 2022

8:12 PM

Description

Press release from the Spokane County Government: April 14, 2022 Suspected Impaired Driver Arrested After Fleeing Traffic Stop Where Had He Provided His Driver's License A driver, who had already provided his driver's license during a traffic stop, chose to flee in his vehicle. Suspected of being impaired, the Deputy pursued but eventually lost sight of the suspect due to his excessively high speed. With the assistance of a Liberty Lake Police Officer, the suspect's vehicle was located after being reported as abandoned in the driveway of a nearby home. The suspect was later contacted as a passenger in another vehicle during a separate traffic stop, and he was arrested for charges of DUI and Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle. He told the arresting Deputy that he got bad information and thought, "They won't chase you anymore." The suspect shows no previous local arrest history. On April 13, 2022, at approximately 10:50 pm., Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy P. Figueroa noticed a black Ford F150 Raptor fail to stop at a stop sign. Deputy Figueroa initiated a traffic stop on N. Spokane River Bridge Road, just south of E. Appleway Avenue. Deputy Figueroa contacted the adult male driver, who identified himself with a Washington State driver's license as 51-year-old Jonathan R. Leach. Deputy Figueroa spoke with Leach, he noticed Leach's speech was slurred, and his eyes were red/watery. When asked, Leach admitted to having three beers. Deputy Figueroa asked the driver to step out of the vehicle for a DUI investigation. Leach said, "Sure." and started his vehicle's engine. Deputy Figueroa told Leach he wasn't going anywhere, and Leach turned his head toward the Deputy, smiled, and said, "Yes, I am." and accelerated rapidly from the gravel shoulder, causing a dust cloud. Suspected of DUI, Deputy Figueroa pursued (exemption allowed under RCW 10.116.060) the truck in a fully marked patrol car, with lights and siren activated as it traveled west on I-90 at over 100 mph. Leach exited the interstate on the Liberty Lake exit, drove over the curb of the roundabout, and continued west on Mission Avenue. Deputy Figueroa lost sight of the vehicle N. Harvest Parkway, and the pursuit was terminated. A short time later, Liberty Lake Police (LLPD) Officer Sowell was advised of a suspicious vehicle call where the caller said a black Ford Raptor was parked in his driveway, 1800 block of N. Glenbrook Road, and was abandoned. Deputy Figueroa responded and confirmed the vehicle was the one Leach fled in and owned. Deputies and LLPD searched the area for Leach, but he was not located, and the truck was impounded. At approximately 11:20 pm., LLPD Officer Sowell noticed a vehicle with no license plate and conducted a traffic stop on E. Mission and N. Harmony Lane. Having already viewed a picture of Leach, Officer Sowell noticed the rear passenger of the vehicle appeared to be Leach, and he was detained. Deputy Figueroa responded to the stop, positively identified Leach, informed him that he was under arrest, and advised him of his rights. Leach said he was being "stupid," and he had some bad information and thought, "They won't chase you anymore." Leach did not show any local arrest history. Leach was processed for the suspicion of DUI. Afterward, he was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, a felony, and DUI. This press release was produced by the Spokane County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.