Wanted Driver Rams Deputy’s Patrol Vehicle in a Wildly Reckless Attempt to Flee
Spokane Valley Deputies arrested the driver of a vehicle who rammed a patrol vehicle while actively trying to flee. His wildly reckless actions risked his safety as well as his passengers, the public, and the Deputies involved. The driver was charged with multiple new charges stemming from this incident and an active felony warrant for his arrest. The passenger also had an active felony warrant for his arrest and was booked into jail. A motorcyclist, who was not initially involved, was injured (broken leg) at the conclusion of the pursuit. He was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and is being investigated for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
On May 26, 2020, at approximately 2:20 a.m., a Spokane Valley Deputy attempted to stop a reckless vehicle, a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, and possibly impaired driver in the area of 5th and Park Rd. In Spokane Valley. The driver, later identified as 28-year-old Levi M. Everitt, began to flee instead of pulling over as required by law.
Everitt continued his aggressive, recklessly determined, attempt to avoid capture. Several marked patrol cars were involved during this incident as it made its way through parking lots, around businesses, and traveled the wrong way on Sprague. Shortly after, the pursuit was terminated by the Sergeant due to the danger posed by Everitt’s actions.
Deputies fanned out to major intersections in the area intending to successfully deploy spike strips to stop Everitt’s ability to travel at high speeds.
Near the intersection of Broadway and University, Everitt was observed traveling west on Broadway at a high rate of speed with the vehicle’s lights turned off. Everitt appeared to swerve toward the fully marked patrol car before running over a set of deployed spike strips while maintaining his high speed.
As Everitt continued to drive recklessly without care for anyone in the area, several PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) attempts were made, but they were unsuccessful. During one attempt, Everitt gripped the steering wheel, smiled, and accelerated rapidly toward the Deputy, appearing to ram his patrol car intentionally. During another attempt, he drove into the front of a patrol car as the Deputy tried to block his escape route and pushed through, continuing to flee.
Now eastbound on Trent, continuing to demonstrate his determination to flee at any cost despite sparks flying up from the metal of wheels grinding on the roadway, Deputies, with their lights and sirens activated, again tried to conduct a PIT maneuver at the intersection of Park and Trent. The Deputy moved his patrol car into position on the passenger’s side of Everitt’s car to conduct the PIT and the suspect’s car spun into the intersection. Simultaneously, a motorcycle rider, stopped facing west on Trent in the turn lane to go south on Park, failed to clear the intersection as the emergency vehicles approached and was struck. Everitt regained control of his vehicle, drove wildly through the parking lot on the northeast, and turned back toward the intersection and the injured rider.
Assisting Deputies positioned their vehicles in between the injured rider and Everitt’s accelerating vehicle. Everitt and two Deputies collided, ending the pursuit.
Traffic Collision Technicians were called to the scene to investigate. The initial investigation indicates the Deputy’s patrol car struck the leg of the motorcycle rider who failed to clear the intersection. The rider was transported to the hospital for a possible broken leg. Investigators also believe the motorcyclist was impaired at the time of the incident, and they obtained a warrant for a blood draw for testing. Additionally, a substance believed to be methamphetamine was found on his person.
Everitt and his passenger, 26-year-old Jacob L. Gier, were taken into custody without further incident.
After being advised of his rights, Everitt said he ran because he got scared and wanted to see his girlfriend one more time. He said he saw a patrol car in the intersection as they approached, but he did not see a motorcycle. He admitted to using meth about an hour before the incident began.
Gier stated he told Everitt multiple times to stop and that he wanted to get out because he was afraid for his life, but Everitt wouldn’t pull over.
Everitt was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Assault 2nd Degree, Vehicular Assault, Reckless Driving, Driving while Suspended, Unlawful Imprisonment and a felony Washington State Department of Corrections warrant.
Gier was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance-Heroin and a felony Washington State Department of Corrections warrant.
The motorcycle rider has not been charged at this time but faces Possession of a Controlled Substance and possible DUI charges dependent on the results of the blood sample.