News Release from: Clark Co. Sheriff's Office
UPDATE ATTEMPT TO STOP REPORTED DRUNKEN AND RECKLESS DRIVER RESULTS IN CRASH ON I-5
Posted: May 29th, 2012 4:20 PM
Update: 5/29/2012
Suspect Vehicle Driver Identified as:
WASER, Justin L. Age 26 of Vancouver, Wa. - SUSPECT
CCSO Case # S12-7266
Additional details: As chronicled below, 911 broadcast the suspect information to patrol units, the suspect vehicle was spotted travelling south bound on Interstate 5 by a CCSO deputy. The deputy observed the suspect vehicle driving in an erratic and reckless manner and attempted to place a stop on the vehicle, a silver Ford Focus. The suspect vehicle ignored the traffic stop attempt and failed to yield or pull over for the flashing lights and siren of the marked CCSO patrol. The suspect vehicle continued south bound on I-5 and began gaining speed well in excess of the posted speed limit, as fast as 90 mph at one point. WSP attempted to spike strip the running vehicle but it evaded the strips and continued south at a high rate of speed and began passing motorists by driving on the shoulder of the road, nearly colliding with several vehicles. The suspect vehicle was being operated in a reckless manner that demonstrated an obvious disregard for other motorist and public saf
ety. At about the 39th street/Main Street overpass of I-5, the suspect vehicle slowed sufficiently to allow the pursuing deputy to perform a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) on the vehicle causing it to spin out and stall. No other vehicles were involved in the collision. The suspect vehicle slammed into the center freeway barrier and came to a stop. A PIT is a controlled tactical maneuver used by law enforcement to, as reasonably possible, safely terminate a pursuit, end the threat to other motorists and apprehend a fleeing suspect. Sheriff deputies are trained and re-certify annually on the PIT tactical intervention.
The suspect vehicle driver, WASER, Justin was treated by EMS for facial injuries and transported to Peace Health Hospital. He will be charged with Driving under the influence of intoxicants and attempting to elude law enforcement. WSP is completing the collision report. There were no injuries sustained by deputies or the public and only minimal damage to the patrol vehicle.
Attempt to stop reported drunken and reckless driver results in crash on I-5
Just before 06:00 Hrs this date, 911 received a report of an apparent driver operating under the influence (DUI) just leaving the city of LaCenter. The vehicle was described as a silver Ford Focus with Michigan state license plates operated by a lone ault male. A rural patrol Clark County Deputy in a marked CCSO patrol vehicle spotted the suspect vehicle as it was travelling S/B on I-5, south of the 319th Street over-pass. The deputy attempted to place a stop on the silver Ford Focus activating overhead emergency lights and siren, however, the vehicle sped up and continued S/B on interstate 5, the suspect vehicle was traveling at an excessive speed creating a danger to all other motorist on the highway. An attempt to spike strip the Ford Focus in the area of 99 street and I-5 was unsuccessful and the vehicle continued south at a high rate of speed failing to yield to the following patrol vehicles. Units from CCSO and WSP assisted with the attempt to stop the reckless vehi
cle. The suspect vehicle crashed on I-5 at approximately the 39th/Main Street overpass. The exact cause of the crash is uncertain at this time and is under investigation. The eluding driver was treated at the scene by EMS for head and chest injuries. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
This incident is in early stages of investigation and criminal charges on the driver of the Ford Focus are pending.
Additional information will be released as the investigation unfolds.
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