Reckless Driver Flees from Deputy
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mark Benner arrested 23-year-old Konstantin A. Chekulayev last night after he attempted to flee, lost control of his vehicle, and crashed. He was booked into jail for Attempting to Elude Pursuing Police Vehicle, Driving while Suspended 3rd Degree and Reckless Driving.
Last night just after 9:00 p.m., Deputy Benner observed a speeding vehicle traveling toward him on Peone Road near Fairview Road. His radar showed the vehicle’s speed at 65 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. Traffic in the area was light but the roads were slick. Deputy Benner turned around to stop the reckless driver, later identified as Chekulayev, and noticed Chekulayev had accelerated to an even higher rate of speed.
Deputy Benner pursued Chekulayev who turned onto Myrtle and turned his vehicle’s lights off as he continued to evade Deputy Benner at 40 mph in the 25mph zone. Chekulayev continued to turn the vehicle’s lights on and off as he turned and tried to escape on the slick roads through Mead.
In the 9400 block of North Market, the pursuit was terminated due to the increased speeds and Chekulayev’s reckless actions which posed a risk to the public, Deputy Benner and Chekulayev. As Deputy Benner turned off his emergency lights and siren and began to pull over to the side of the road, he observed dust illuminated by the street light approximately 100 yards in the direction Chekulayev fled. Checking the area of the dust, he found skid marks leading off the roadway and observed Chekulayev standing next to his vehicle by a pine tree. Chekulayev followed commands and he was safely taken into custody once additional unit arrived.
After being advised of his rights, Chekulayev stated he understood and agreed to answer questions. He admitted he was driving way to fast but said he didn’t know Deputy Benner was behind him. He tried to explain this by saying he couldn’t see well through his rear window due to its condition. He had his music up loud and couldn’t hear the siren and he has a bad fuse for his lights so he kept turning them on and off. He had no explanation why he couldn’t see Deputy Benner’s lights in his side mirrors.
Chekulayev was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Driving while Suspended 3rd Degree and Reckless Driving.