SPOKANE, Wash. – A suspected DUI driver was arrested on Sunday after trying to flee Spokane County deputies.
On March 24, 2024, at approximately 2:10 pm, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications began to receive several calls reporting a reckless, possibly impaired driver.
The callers advised that a white truck with a red canopy was driving recklessly, swerving all over the road and nearly hitting other drivers.
When deputies arrived in the area, callers reported that the driver appeared to be passed out near the intersection of Sprague and Evergreen Road.
A deputy from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office located the impaired driver who was later identified as 47-year-old Michael T. Bajadali, stopped at a red light on Sprague and did not move for approximately 10 seconds, even though the vehicles in front of him had continued on their way.
Bajadali drove the wrong way and hit several yellow pylons.
The deputy then activated his siren and demanded that Bajadali stop his vehicle and pull over but the Bajadali decided to accelerate in a clear attempt to elude the deputy.
Other deputies arrived to help and utilized a PIT Maneuver to stop Bajadali’s truck, causing the truck to spin approximately 180 degrees. Deputies pinned the truck in, preventing any escape attempt.
Bajadali was treated for injuries, arrested, transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle and DUI.
Later, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz set his total bond at $10,000.
