Suspected DUI Drivers Switch Seats During Pursuit
Spokane Valley Deputies attempted to stop a vehicle without license plates and suspicion of DUI. Instead of stopping, the driver chose to flee, initiating a pursuit. At one point, he stopped and switched places with the female passenger, and she fled at a high rate of speed. Deputies used a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit. The female suspect refusing to give up, rammed the SUV she was driving into the front of a patrol car, causing extensive damage and the airbags to deploy. The suspects were arrested and charged with multiple crimes. The Deputy was medically evaluated as a precaution.
On March 26, 2022, at approximately 4:00 am., Spokane Valley Deputy Riley Sullivan observed a blue Hyundai SUV, without license plates, traveling south on N. Pines Road in Spokane Valley. The vehicle was going approximately 15-20 mph in a posted 35 mph zone, and Deputy Sullivan noticed the car swerved multiple times, almost colliding with the curb/sidewalk.
Believing the driver, later identified as 32-year-old Jacob M. Maravilla, was impaired, Deputy Sullivan activated his emergency lights and siren. Instead of pulling as required, Maravilla continued driving erratically and suddenly accelerated rapidly. Deputy Sullivan had already advised the reason for the stop via his radio and obtained permission to pursue the fleeing vehicle.
Maravilla turned west on Main Avenue, then north on Bowdish Road, failing to stop at the stop sign. Deputy Sullivan noted he could see the silhouette of Maravilla in the driver’s seat as he continued his choice to try and evade.
With multiple patrol units responding to the area to assist, Maravilla slowed to a stop on Bowdish, just south of Mission Avenue. As Deputies exited their patrol cars to conduct a high-risk traffic stop, Deputy Sullivan observed Maravilla switch seats with the front passenger, later identified as 50-year-old Roberta J. Peone. Peone then accelerated rapidly and turned east on Mission.
As Peone turned east on Indiana Avenue from Mirabeau Pkwy., Deputy Elijah Jones attempted a PIT maneuver, causing the SUV to spin. Now facing the SUV, Deputy Sullivan pulled forward to try and block any escape path. Peone accelerated rapidly toward him, causing Deputy Sullivan to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
Peone chose to continue her attempt to elude, traveling west on Indiana, then north on Pines, and east on Mansfield, before turning north on N. Cherry Street. Peone turned into a parking lot in the 2900 block of N. Cherry Lane, drove through the parking lot, slammed through a closed gate, and into a construction area.
When the vehicle turned east on E. Grace Avenue, Deputy Josiah Loos conducted a PIT maneuver and the SUV spun. Peone started to drive onto the sidewalk to flee again, but Deputy Jones positioned his patrol vehicle in front of the SUV to attempt a post PIT, and end the pursuit. However, Peone did not want to stop and accelerated rapidly without regard for anyone’s safety, slamming into the front end of Jones’ patrol car, causing severe damage, and deploying his airbags.
With the pursuit over, Deputies took both Maravilla and Peone into custody without further incident. A check of Maravilla’s name revealed two felony warrants for his arrest.
With both suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, Deputy Garrett Spencer, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), arrived to assist. After developing probable cause that they were both DUI, Deputy Spencer obtained a search warrant to collect blood samples.
Maravilla and Peone were both provided medical treatment and were cleared.
Maravilla was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, DUI, Resisting Arrest, and his unrelated felony warrants for Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree. The courts set his total bond for all charges at $25,000.
Peone was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Assault 2nd Degree, and DUI. The courts set her total bond amount for all charges at $2,500.
After the incident, Deputy Jones was medically evaluated as a precaution.
###