SPOKANE VALLEY-- A teenage boy who took Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies on a wild chase over the weekend is facing a host of felony charges including possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors have not filed formal charges, but they have told KREM 2 News they are looking at the possibility of trying the teen and an adult.
The pursuit took place in rural terrain. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies used the helicopter to find the 16-year-old.
The boy faces numerous charges, including driving under the influence, first degree assault, eluding police, and a minor in possession of a firearm.
Captain Dave Ellis says suspects are not going to be able to outrun the helicopter, because the helicopter has an aerial view. He was the one controlling the spotlight and thermo imaging camera from Air One.
Authorities say early Saturday morning, a deputy tried to pull over the driver in Mead on suspicion of drunken driving. The teen took off in his pickup truck. The chase quickly ended up off-road in fields near the Green Bluff area. Surveillance video shows the truck pulling away at times, but the officer quickly catches up. The teen maneuvered around trees, stopped, backed up, and then continued forward. During the chase, the deputy attempted three PIT maneuvers to stop the truck. With the helicopter helping to guide the officer through the darkness, the deputy is able to successfully perform the third PIT maneuver, and still the driver did not give up.
Other officers arrived and arrested the 16-year-old. His 20-year-old passenger was also arrested on a felony warrant. Authorities say at one point during the assault, somebody opened the sliding rear window of the pickup and pointed an object at officers. Deputies recovered a handgun from the vehicle.
