Eluding chase ends in smoking car, arrest

WAWAWAI ROAD — A suicidal Lewiston man who attempted to elude Whitman County deputies was treated for minor injures after deputies pulled him from his smoking, crashed vehicle.

Shortly after midnight Aug. 23, Whitman County Deputies responded to the call of a possible suicidal person in the area of Wawawai Road near the Port of Wilma. While responding to the call, deputies were advised that the suicidal subject struck and dragged an individual with his vehicle during an altercation, sending the victim to the hospital.

After arriving in the area, deputies located the subject, Joseph Rodriguez, 20, Lewiston, just west of the Port of Wilma. Deputies attempted contact with Rodriguez who was seated in his vehicle at that time.

According to deputies on scene, Rodriguez refused to cooperate with law enforcement at that time and in the process of fleeing, attempted to hit one of the deputies with his vehicle while speeding away from the scene.

Deputies pursued Rodriguez westbound on Wawawai Road at speeds of 90 mph for approximately five miles before he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to roll before coming to a stop. The pursuing deputies immediately noticed smoke and flames coming from the vehicle and were able pull Rodriguez out of the vehicle to safety. The vehicle fire was immediately extinguished at that time.

Rodriguez was transported by ambulance to Tri-State Hospital in Clarkston and treated for minor injuries sustained during the crash.

Once Rodriguez was released from the hospital he was transported to the Whitman County Jail where he was booked on charges of assault first degree, attempt to elude a police vehicle and driving under the influence.

Bail was set at $100,000 surety or $10,000 cash.