Driver Charged with DUI, Resisting Arrest, & Attempting to Elude
Early this morning, a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle near Francis and Division. The driver, later identified as Joseph R. Guerrero, failed to stop and began to flee. After a short pursuit, he was arrested and charged with DUI, Resisting Arrest and Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Vehicle.
On July 28, 2017 just prior to 2:00 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Hairston observed a Ford Mustang turn westbound on Francis from Addison, without using a turn signal. He also observed an additional turn signal violation, an equipment (brake light) violation, and as Guerrero began to turn into a business parking lot on Francis east of Division, he suddenly swerved back into the lane of travel.
Due to Guerrero’s erratic driving and observed violations, Deputy Hairston activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop on N. Division. Guerrero looked back at the patrol car as he turned into the Petco parking lot and continued to drive slowly instead of coming to a stop. Deputy Hairston also observed there was a male passenger in the vehicle. Guerrero drove north behind Jack in the Box and accelerated rapidly. The vehicle hit a large dip in the parking lot so hard, sparks shot out from underneath the vehicle. Guerrero continued to accelerate through the Lowes parking lot, swerving wildly to avoid hitting the concrete dividers and cars parked in the lot before turning east on Lyons.
Guerrero continued his attempt to evade but lost control of his vehicle and started to spin when he turned north on Addison but he regained control and continued northbound. He abruptly turned into the parking lot of the Lyons Crest Apartments, traveled a short distance and stopped. Deputy Hairston exited his vehicle and ordered Guerrero to stop several times but Guerrero exited the vehicle, did not comply and appeared to be considering escape options. Deputy Hairston quickly took Guerrero to the ground and attempted to place him in handcuffs. Guerrero continuously tried to pull his arms free and failed to follow commands. After a short struggle, Deputy Hairston gained control and applied handcuffs as his attention quickly turned to the male passenger still inside the vehicle.
When additional units arrived to assist, the passenger was detained without incident. A bottle of whiskey, approximately 1/3 full, was observed sitting on the driver’s seat. Guerrero exhibited numerous signs of being intoxicated but he denied drinking any alcohol. When asked why he didn’t stop, he explained he was just trying to get something to eat and go home. Due to safety concerns, field sobriety evaluations were not conducted.
Guerrero was transported to the Spokane County Jail where a search warrant to obtain a blood sample was requested and granted. After obtaining a sample for testing, Guerrero was booked for Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Vehicle, DUI and Resisting Arrest. He was issued infractions for failure to signal, inoperative brake light, improper lane usage and driving without a valid driver’s license.
The passenger, also intoxicated, was not charged with a crime and released to a family member.