SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A Spokane County deputy was involved in a crash Wednesday evening that shut down part of I-90 near Havana, according to Washington State Patrol.
Spokane County Sheriff's Corporal Mark Gregory said it all started when another deputy attempted to stop a stolen white BMW driving erratically near 5th and Freya.
As the BMW entered eastbound I-90, weaving in and out of traffic, the deputy attempted to pull the car over. Seconds later, the pursuit was terminated as the BMW side-swiped the center barrier and crashed. Gregory said the driver got out of the car and fled north, across westbound lanes of I-90. Two women were still in the car.
A westbound Spokane Valley deputy, who was in the area to assist, was involved in a crash. The deputy was transported to a hospital to be evaluated. He was released later in the evening with minor injuries.
Washington State Patrol, Spokane police and other deputies responded. A perimeter was set up but a search for the fleeing driver was no successful, Gregory said.
The two passengers in the stolen car stayed and said they didn't know the driver or that the car was stolen. They said the driver pulled up next to them while they were talking to the store and they accepted his offer for a ride. They were released without charges.
Washington State Patrol is investigating the two crashes and the Spokane County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the stolen vehicle incident.
Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-90 were shut down due to the crash but have since reopened.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or can help identify the driver who fled is asked to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference #10083833.