Wanted Fugitive Arrested After Unsuccessful Attempt to Flee
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 41 year-old Daniel E. Palmer after a pursuit which began when Deputy Nogle attempted to conduct a traffic stop for equipment violations. After his arrest, Palmer was found to have a valid extraditable felony warrant from Idaho and also faces local charges for Attempting to Elude, Resisting Arrest and Driving with a Suspended License.
Early this morning, just before 2:00 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Nogle observed a Honda Civic traveling west on Sunset Blvd. near Assembly. The Honda’s exhaust was loud and the vehicle was missing its hood in violation of Washington RCW.
Deputy Nogle caught up to the vehicle and activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop as the vehicle turned into the parking lot of the Cedar Village Motel at Sunset Hwy. and Lewis St. As he pulled in behind the vehicle, he activated his spot light and observed a male driver and female passenger. The driver continued to slowly drive through the parking lot toward the east exit. Suddenly, the passenger door opened and the female passenger fell, or was pushed out, of the vehicle which began to flee. The female did not motion for help and did not appear to be injured after falling from the vehicle estimated to be traveling at less than 5 mph.
Now on Lewis St., Deputy Nogle activated his siren as the driver, later identified as Palmer, accelerated in an attempt to escape. During the pursuit, Palmer failed to obey traffic signals, drove erratically at excess speeds and without any regard for his safety or the safety of the public in the area.
At the intersection of Geiger Blvd. and Hayford road, Airway Heights Police Officer Hayes successfully deployed spike strips. With the vehicle’s driver’s side front tire completely flat, Palmer slowed down considerably as he tried to turn on I-90 eastbound at the Hwy. 902 interchange. Deputy Nogle attempted a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit safety, but Palmer was able to maintain control and continued to flee eastbound on I-90.
Appearing to have difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle, Palmer moved to the inside lane, stopped on the shoulder near milepost 274, got out of the vehicle and laid down on the ground. Multiple deputies arrived to assist as Deputy Nogle gave verbal commands to Palmer.
Deputy Humphrey and Deputy Cinkovich approached Palmer to take control of his arms but Palmer tensed and tried to pull his hands toward his waistband area. Not knowing if he was trying to gain access to a weapon, deputies ordered him to stop resisting, put his hands behind his back and that he was under arrest. Palmer continued to resist until two knee strikes were delivered to his arm causing him to comply.
Once safely taken into custody and being advised of his rights, Palmer said he thought the female, who he didn’t know, had drugs and she jumped from the vehicle on her own. He continued to flee because he was scared and knew he had a felony warrant for his arrest.
Palmer was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Resisting Arrest and Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License. He is also held pending extradition to Idaho for the felony warrant.
A search for the female was unsuccessful.