Bulletin Column

These reports are from the previous four issues of the Daily Bulletin in Colfax. They are reprinted here for the benefit of Gazette readers who reside outside of Colfax. Some accounts have been updated.

DRIVERS SURVIVE CRASHES

Rebecca K. La, 21, Seattle, was unhurt Monday when the 2010 Mazda she was driving struck a deer on Highway 26 west of LaCrosse. According the Washington State Patrol report, she was driving east at 7:40 p.m. when the deer ran onto the highway and struck the car at mile 97.25.

Megan B. Cuellar, 32, Palouse, was unhurt Friday afternoon when she lost control of a 1997 Toyota Corolla on Highway 272 four miles east of Colfax. According to the WSP report, she was driving westbound at 4:03 p.m. when the car went off the highway on the right side, crossed back over both lanes and came to a halt in the ditch on the opposite side.

COURT ORDERS

COMPETENCY CHECK

An examination to determine competency was ordered for James A. Holdren, 51, Malden, Friday in superior court. Holdren was arrested April 14 after Oakesdale residents reported a PT Cruiser was driving at a high rate of speed around Oakesdale and appeared to be aiming at residents.

Judge David Frazier Friday ruled Holdren would have to undergo a competency examination before his case proceeded to arraignment. Holdren was formally charged April 18 with two counts of second degree assault.

Holdren Friday told the court he had decided to undertake surveillance operations on people he believed were involved in drugs in the northern part of the county.

Two charges of second degree assault were filed against Holdren in Whitman County Superior Court. Holdren was booked into the county jail early the previous Saturday morning after he was arrested on Highway 271 south of the Rosalia intersection with Highway 195.

The arrest report said deputies responded Friday night, April 13, after getting reports that a man was driving a PT Cruiser around Oakesdale at a high speed and threatening to run over people. They reported the driver of the cruiser drove out of town northbound on Highway 271.

Holdren was booked into the jail under probable charges of attempted vehicular assault, drunken driving and reckless driving. The deputy’s arrest report said three Oakesdale residents submitted written reports of seeing the PT Cruiser pointed at residents as it drove around Oakesdale.

The arresting officer said Holdren told them he was working for the Drug Enforcement Agency.

PILOT UNHURT IN 2ND CRASH

Pullman ag pilot Michael Meines, 23, Pullman, was unhurt after the ag airplane he was flying flipped on its top when he attempted an emergency landing in a field near Grinnell April 17. Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Chapman said investigation started after they were advised by a motorist, April 18, that an ag plane was upside down in the field near Grinnell and Nelson Roads.

According to Sgt. Chapman’s report, deputies went to the scene and determined the wrecked plane was unoccupied. They then checked with the FAA and learned the accident had been reported to the agency Tuesday at about 5:15 p.m.

The deputies contacted Meines who reported he had just purchased the airplane Tuesday and noticed the fuel gauge was low after taking off at Grinnell. Meines said the airplane’s engine began to sputter after he had turned back toward the airfield so he attempted an emergency landing in the field. The plane was coming to a halt after landing, but the wheels sank into the field and it flipped.

Meines escaped an ag plane crash last June near Viola Road south of Palouse. That plane crashed after it hit a power line. He was treated for minor injuries after he was taken to the hospital following that accident.

RHODE ISLAND MAN ARRESTED

Richard Fitzpatrick, 34, Warwick, Rhode Island, was booked into the county jail April 19 after deputies and Pullman police responded to a report of a disorderly customer at the Wawawai Canyon Winery along the Moscow-Pullman Highway.

According to a report by Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Chapman, Fitzpatrick arrived at the winery at 1:30 and stayed until he was locked out at 5:20 after he was asked to leave the premises.

Sgt. Chapman’s report, however, said they do not believe alcohol had a significant role in the incident.

The report alleged after Fitzpatrick was denied entrance to the winery, he entered one of the owner’s vehicles to get a pair of pliers with the intent of opening one of the bottles he had purchased. He broke the bottle in the process and apparently cut his hand. The report said he smeared blood on the front door of the winery.

He was booked in jail on probable charges of first degree trespass, vehicle prowl, third degree theft and malicious mischief.

ARREST FOLLOWS RAPE REPORT

Jared D. Druffel, 23, Pullman, was allowed release on his own recognizance April 18 after a first appearance in superior court. He was booked into the county jail on a probable charge of second degree rape. The Pullman Police account said they responded early Tuesday morning to a report of rape. They said the alleged victim told them a man, later identified as Druffel, raped her after she had attended a birthday party in Pullman. She said Druffel had also attended the party.