High speed car chase results in crash

COLFAX — Two Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputies were led on a high speed car chase in Colfax, ending in a crash on Friday, July 19.

According to public record, Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Handley and Whitman County Sgt. Keith Cooper were patrolling at 1:14 a.m., July 19, when they noticed a red Subaru legacy with Oregon license plates driving up and down Main Street for approximately 15 minutes.

The driver later identified as Ronald Gordon, Jr., Griffin, 41, of McMinnville, Ore., turned on Stevens Street and the northbound onto Mill Street was seen failing to stop at the stop sign.

Handley reported that Griffin then accelerated to a high speed estimated at approximately 60 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour speed zone resulting in the pursuit.

“As the vehicle continued north on Mill Street, I estimated the vehicle to be traveling at 75 to 85 miles per hour,” Handley reported.

Approaching Spokane Seed, 1204 North Clay Street, Handley reported that Griffin then started to turn around and drive towards the patrol car. “I had to actively steer my patrol car to the right to avoid being hit head on,” Handley reported.

The pursuit continued onto Clay Street, approaching Harrison Street. Griffin continued to speed around the corner onto Harrison Street. As the deputies turned the corner, Handley observed Griffin’s vehicle had crashed into a power pole at Mill and Harrison Street resting in a front lawn.

Griffin complied when the deputies ordered him to show his hands and was removed from the vehicle and handcuffed on the ground.

According to public record, Sgt. Cooper asked for consent to search the car, Griffin complied and stated that he ran due to a suspended license and not wanting to get pulled over.

Upon search of the car, deputies found two plastic bags containing cocaine, a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine, two needles and a “tooter” pipe in the center console.

Handley reported that upon inspection estimated damage to a fiber optic box and fiber optic wires to be several thousand dollars.

Griffin suffered minor injuries and was arrested and booked into the Whitman County Jail for two counts of Assault 1st Degree, Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Driving with a Suspended License 3rd Degree and two counts of knowingly possessing cocaine and methamphetamine. Griffin Jr. is being held on a $15,000 cash bail through Superior Court.