Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Investigation being led by Garfield’s City Marshall
GARFIELD — A car chase involving a Blue Kia Optima sped away on the back roads at 8:05 a.m. along Farmington Garfield Road and Dry Creek Road on Wednesday, May 10.
The incident started when Joe Handley, Garfield City Marshall, received a call about a suspicious vehicle parked in the middle of the roadway near town.
“The vehicle took off on me and was traveling around 50 mph on a gravel road,” said Handley.
He reports that after the vehicle failed to yield to his lights, the vehicle traveled along another roadway faster and recklessly. Handley initiated the pursuit after observing the vehicle maneuver onto the roadway.
Handley noted that the reckless driving appeared to indicate the driver was under the influence.
Handley contacted the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office about placing spike strips where he believed the driver was heading.
Spike strips were to be placed near Bellmont until the driver changed direction and turned onto Farmington Road. The pursuit ended after the vehicle drove off down the roadway.
Handley reports that the vehicle was located on Walter Road about two hours later.
“I observed fentanyl on the passenger seat,” he said.
He further reports that a small amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine was located in the vehicle; however, Handley cannot disclose the exact amount at the time of this publication.
The Garfield’s Marsal is underway in his investigation of the unknown driver and the incident that drove along through Whitman County.
For any information regarding the incident, contact Joe Handley at 509-635-1133 or the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office at 509-397-6266.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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