Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Hairston arrested 39-year-old Jason A. Whitmire for Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine and two felony warrants after Whitmire’s erratic and reckless driving caught his attention.
Early this morning, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Deputy Hairston noticed a dark colored Honda Accord with Oregon license plates traveling south on Division near Westview in north Spokane County. The driver, later identified as Whitmire, pulled into the gas station on the corner, drove through the parking lot and immediately pulled back into eastbound traffic on Westview. As Whitmire made the turn onto Westview, he crossed over the centerline and traveled on the wrong side of the road for several feet before slowly returning to the correct side of the road. He turned north onto Colfax, drove across the roadway into the oncoming lane and continued across the road. He came to a stop in the front grass/dirt area of a residence on the west side of the street.
Deputy Hairston active his emergency lights and contacted Whitmire. Whitmire stated he didn’t have identification on him and verbally identified himself using false information. When asked about his poor driving, he explained he wasn’t paying attention and he pulled over because he knew Deputy Hairston was going to stop him.
While checking the name initially provided by Whitmire, Deputy Hairston received an AKA (also known as) hit for Jason A. Whitmire. Whitmire’s identity was confirmed and Deputy Hairston learned Whitmire had two confirmed felony warrants (Department of Corrections, Escape Community Custody & Burglary) for his arrest.
After Whitmire was safely placed in handcuffs, Deputy Hairston located a small glass vial containing a small amount of a white crystalline substance in Whitmire’s front pants pocket. Whitmire immediately stated, “That’s just a little meth.” Deputy Hairston also located an uncapped hypodermic needle, which Whitmire said he used to inject methamphetamine.
Whitmire was advised of his rights. After waiving his rights, he explained he has a drug problem and asked Deputy Hairston to give him a break and just dump the methamphetamine out. Whitmire said he borrowed the Honda from his friend “Eric” for the day. He was unable to provide “Eric’s” last name or any way to contact him.
Knowing mid-90s Honda Accords are one of the most commonly stolen vehicles in conjunction with Whitmire’s inability to provide anything more than the first name of a person who allowed him to borrow the vehicle which didn’t match either of the registered owners’ names; Deputy Hairston impounded the vehicle for safekeeping and further investigation.
Whitmire was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine and the two warrants. Whitmire was also issued criminal citation for driving while suspended and providing false information. He also received infractions for failure to drive on the right side of the roadway and no insurance.