SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – The suspect of a hit-and-run at N. Sullivan and E. Mission Avenue was arrested for a DUI after being located by Spokane Valley Deputies.
According to the Spokane Valley Police Department (SVPD), deputies were notified of the hit-and-run at approximately 7:35 p.m. on Tuesday and were told via radio that one of the vehicles involved, a white Chevy extended cab truck with a ladder rack, fled the scene eastbound on I-90.
While deputies were checking the area for a suspect vehicle, a white Chevrolet truck fitting the description of the vehicle was found traveling west on E. Appleway near N. Madison Street.
Before the deputy caught up to the vehicle at a red light at N. Liberty Lake Road, the vehicle had reportedly swerved over the lane divider line several times and had its hazard lights activated prior to stopping.
The deputy successfully pulled over the vehicle when the light turned green after the vehicle initially appeared to accelerate.
After approaching the driver of the vehicle, identified as 34-year-old Justin M. West, the deputy observed that West’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, his speech was slow and slurred and both front airbags were deployed.
West not only denied being involved in a hit-and-run incident near Sullivan and Mission but also denied being involved in any vehicle crash, stating that the damage to his truck occurred after hitting a tree stump, according to the SVPD.
The victim of the hit-and-run crash confirmed that it was the same vehicle and West was the correct driver.
West declined to perform field sobriety evaluations as the investigation continued but admitted to drinking a substantial amount of alcohol. He was then arrested for the hit-and-run as well as a DUI.
West did not admit that he was involved in a collision until he was being transported to the Spokane Valley Precinct for a breath test, reportedly stating that a black Kia backed into his truck.
After the breath test was conducted, West was found to have a BAC of .28, which is over three times the legal limit of .08, according to the SVPD.
West was booked into the Spokane County Jail for the two crimes and his bond was posted at $5,000 for his charges. He was also booked on an extraditable Kittitas County warrant with a bond of $15,000, making $20,000 his total bond.
