Suspicious Vehicle Driven by Suspected Impaired Driver Tries to Flee but Stopped Using PIT Maneuver, Driver Arrested
Spokane Valley Deputies checking on a suspicious vehicle parked at the Appleway entrance of Corwin Ford found the driver appeared to be impaired. While contacting the driver, he placed the vehicle in drive and fled with Deputies in pursuit. Near the 10400 block of E. 16th Avenue, a PIT maneuver was used to end the pursuit. The driver tried to maintain control and continue his attempt to flee, but left the roadway, drove over the roots of a large tree, and rolled the Subaru on its side, striking three parked vehicles. The adult female passenger said she told the driver several times to stop and let her out of the car because she was afraid, but he refused, risking her safety. Both were provided medical treatment and released. The driver was arrested for multiple charges and booked into jail.
On June 5, 2023, at approximately 12:15 am, Spokane Valley Deputies stopped to check on a Subaru Outback with Idaho license plates parked, with its on lights and possibly running, in the Appleway entrance to Corwin Ford.
Deputy Korpi, noting he has responded to several calls for service (vehicle prowling, trespassing, vehicle thefts) at the location/area in the past, pulled in behind the vehicle, which appeared unoccupied, and began to scan the lot for people. Deputy Davis approached the Subaru and observed two people inside who seemed to be passed out.
The Deputies contacted the occupants, and the driver, later identified as 29-year-old Cody A. Dewitt, appeared disoriented; his eyes were red/watery, and his speech was unclear. Dewitt said he needed to go to the hospital with Deputy Korpi telling him to turn the vehicle off, but Dewitt grabbed the shifter, put it in drive, and sped away.
Believing Dewitt was impaired, Deputy Korpi requested and was authorized to pursue Dewitt. Dewitt drove east on Appleway Avenue and then south on University Road with Deputy Kori and Deputy Davis in pursuit with their emergency lights and sirens activated. Dewitt reduced speed and turned east on 16th Avenue.
Wanting to safely end the pursuit of this suspected impaired driver, Deputy Korpi moved into position on 16th Avenue and performed a PIT maneuver causing the Subaru to spin. However, Dewitt attempted to drive out of the spin and drive away but went off the roadway, over a large mass of tree roots, and turned on its side, striking three unoccupied and parked cars.
Dewitt and the adult female passenger were removed from the vehicle. The female passenger/victim stated she told Dewitt several times to stop and let her exit the car, but he refused.
Dewitt declined to answer questions. Both Dewitt and the passenger/victim were provided medical aid for what appeared to be minor injuries.
After he was medically cleared, Dewitt was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Unlawful Imprisonment, Reckless Endangerment, and DUI. He was also booked on an unrelated Assault 4th Degree warrant.
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