A failed attempt to stop a vehicle by Washington State Patrol troopers led to an unexpected sequence of events on Blewett Pass. According to press release from the Washington State Patrol, on December 16th, around 9 a.m., troopers tried to pull over a black 2008 Lincoln MKX on State Route 2 near milepost 105 in Chelan County. The driver had other plans, failing to stop and continuing to navigate the snowy conditions heading southward on State Route 97.
Chase was deemed too risky due to the weather, so WSP did not pursue the escaping vehicle. However, it didn't take long for the troopers to find the car again, this time crashed and abandoned just a mile down the route, amidst the remains of damaged Washington State Department of Transportation property. Inside the Lincoln, left behind by the absent driver, was an rifle waiting to be found.
Further inquiry uncovered the Lincoln MKX's status as stolen property out of Douglas County. When Chelan County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they executed a short K-9 deployment, which persuaded the driver to surrender without further ado. The suspect, a 19-year-old from Kent, WA, was then safely delivered to the accommodations of the Chelan County Regional jail. He faces a litany of charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, firearm and drug possession, and hit and run. During the incident, which took roughly half an hour from woe to go, State Route 97 was temporarily closed for about 30 minutes.
Thanks to the efficient work of local law enforcement, a potentially dangerous situation was diffused without harm to the public. As for those traveling through Blewett Pass at the time, some surely felt frustration at an unexpected delay, unaware of the dramatic scene reaching its conclusion just steps away from the snow-dusted asphalt they thread upon.
