Suspect with Warrants Receives New Charges after Failed Attempt to Flee
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested a driver after he attempted to flee from a traffic stop. The suspect stated he ran because he had warrants for his arrest and didn’t want to go to jail. He was arrested and booked into jail for new charges, three felonies, and three misdemeanors, in addition to the warrants.
On October 2, 2019, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Stan Kravtsov checked the license plate of a dark-colored Cadillac. He learned the license plates expired in 2015 and last registered to a 2001 Toyota Corolla.
He activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop, and the driver, later identified as 44-year-old Billy S. Temple, pulled over immediately at the intersection of Lewis St. and Geiger Blvd.
As Deputy Kravtsov approached the vehicle, he observed Temple and a female passenger inside. Before he reached the trunk of the car, Temple accelerated rapidly, throwing dirt and gravel from the spinning tires. Deputy Kravtsov ran back to his patrol vehicle and observed the Cadillac approaching the Sunset Hwy. at a high rate of speed. Temple did not stop at the stop sign and suddenly turn west toward Hwy. 2.
With Temple attempting to elude Deputy Kravtsov, he advised Radio Communications he was in pursuit. Temple continued west on Hwy. 2 with little to no vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
As they approached Hayford Rd., Temple turned abruptly into the parking lot of Wal-Mart and then north on Hayford Rd. Airway Heights Police and Kalispell Tribe Police arrived in the area to assist.
Suddenly, Temple turned east on 12th, causing sparks to spray for under the Cadillac. At the dead-end of 12th, Temple continued east into a dirt field and avoided a parked excavator. The Cadillac went over a large dirt berm (approximately 5’ berm) and continued through the field toward Hwy. 2 and Flint.
An Airway Heights Police Officer and Deputy Hairston continued the pursuit east from Flint and Hwy. 2.
Approaching Spotted Rd. at a high rate of speed, Temple slammed on the brakes and attempted to turn south, causing the tires of the Cadillac to lockup. Temple lost control, skidded off the road and into the ditch on the southwest corner of the intersection. Deputy Hairston tried to block the Cadillac, but Temple accelerated out of the ditch, narrowly missing Deputy Hairston’s patrol car. As the vehicle passed Deputy Hairston, he observed the female passenger frantically flailing her hands, and she appeared to be screaming at Temple.
With the passenger, potentially being held against her will, and the continued danger posed by Temple’s reckless actions; Deputy Hairston moved into a position to conduct a PIT maneuver and end the pursuit safely. Seeing no vehicles or pedestrians in the area, and a wide-open field to the east side of the roadway with no obstructions, Deputy Hairston began the PIT. Temple suddenly swerved toward his patrol car, causing Deputy Hairston to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
The pursuit continued and was now traveling south from Sunset Blvd. on Rustle. Temple turned onto Grandview Ave. and slowly rolled up the hill before finally coming to a complete stop. Unable to continue, Temple followed commands and taken into custody without further incident.
Temple was advised of his rights and agreed to speak with Deputy Kravtsov. Temple said he ran because he had a warrant for his arrest. A check of Temple’s name revealed his driver’s license was suspended, and two felony warrants (Drug Possession & Assault 2nd Degree).
The female passenger stated Temple fled the traffic stop because he didn’t want to go to jail for his warrant. She was terrified during the pursuit and yelled at Temple to stop, but he ignored her.
After Temple’s arrest, a small amount of suspected Heroin was found in his pocket, and a small amount of suspected Methamphetamine was located in the vehicle. Both substances showed a presumptive positive result for the suspected controlled substances when they were later field-tested.
The female was determined to be a victim of Temple’s reckless actions and released at the scene without charges.
Temple was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin, Methamphetamine), Reckless Endangerment, Switched/False License Plates, and Driving While Suspended as well as the two felony warrants.