Passed Out Driver, and Wanted Felon, Flees in Stolen Van
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested the driver of a stolen van after an early morning pursuit. A citizen reported the suspect as a welfare check because he was slumped over in the vehicle. He fled when contacted by a Deputy.
On August 06, 2020, a Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the report of a male slumped over in a white van in the area of E. Queen Avenue and N. Tiara Court.
Deputy Jessica Baken located the van and attempted to contact the male she recognized as 25-year-old Trevor E. Jefferson. Deputy Baken observed drug paraphernalia inside the van. Jefferson awoke, and instead of talking to the Deputy, he quickly started the van and took off.
Deputy Baken advised she was in pursuit of the van, which turned west on Wellesley. Jefferson drove recklessly as he tried to avoid capture, failing to stop at stop signs, passing vehicles, and reaching high speeds. As Jefferson’s utter disregard for the public’s safety or himself rapidly escalated, Deputy Baken terminated the pursuit near Trent and Long Road.
Additional Deputies ahead of Jefferson set up to deploy spike strips as Jefferson was observed weaving in and out of traffic as he continued west on Trent.
Near Trent and University, Deputy Brian Lawler set up to deployed spike strips. A short time later, he observed the white van approaching his location. Jefferson continued to recklessly weave through traffic without a law enforcement vehicle in pursuit. Deputy Lawler successfully deployed the spikes in front of the van, striking both front tires and the rear driver’s side tire.
Deputies reinitiated the pursuit with the van’s tires slowly deflating, causing speeds to lower as Jefferson tried to maintain control. With flat tires and disintegrating, Jefferson lost control at the intersection of Trent and Park Road, spun, and collided with the side of an STA bus, and a stopped Ford Mustang.
Jefferson followed commands and was taken into custody without further incident.
One of the two occupants of the Mustang sustained minor injuries, received medical treatment, and were released. The four occupants of the STA bus were not injured.
The van was determined to have been reported stolen in Spokane on July 14, 2020.
Jefferson received medical attention at the scene, and due to his believed impairment level, he was transported to the hospital for further evaluation. A search warrant was obtained to seize a sample of his blood for testing.
Jefferson was cleared medically and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs and Driving While Suspended.
Washington State Patrol Troopers responded to assist and are investigating the crash portion of this incident.
SCIU Detective will seek a search warrant for the van to determine if any property inside is stolen. This remains an active investigation, and additional charges are possible.
