75-mile pursuit ends near Ritzville

After leading law enforcement officers on a 75-mile pursuit, a Spokane Valley man was caught near Ritzville on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Scott Williams, 52, was identified as the driver of the erratically driven vehicle, according to the Washington State Patrol report.

The reports of an erratically driven vehicle began around 1:30 p.m. and WSP responded in pursuit of the vehicle.

The troopers pursued the vehicle heading westbound on Interstate 90.

Multiple citizens in the area called 9-1-1 reporting the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and making erratic lane changes.

WSP troopers recorded speeds between 40 and 110 mph.

The first WSP trooper observed the vehicle at the top of Sunset Hill, but the driver did not stop after the emergency lights and sirens had been engaged. The vehicle registration on the car revealed the registered owner had four previous DUI convictions and his driver’s license revoked in the first degree.

Troopers continued pursuit because of the owner’s extensive driving history and the current dangerous driving. Both traffic and weather conditions were ideal for the troopers to continue to the pursuit as well.

The pursuit continued westbound into the Ritzville area, when WSP communications dispatched a single engine Cessna airplane from Ephrata.

Troopers on the ground allowed the vehicle more space once the WSP aircraft was overhead in an attempt to lower the vehicle’s speed so spike strips could be deployed.

Approximately 22 miles west of Ritzville, a trooper successfully deployed the spike strips and the vehicle stopped nearly a mile later. The driver was taken into custody without incident.

Williams was placed into custody for felony eluding, felony DUI, reckless driving, driving with a revoked driver’s license and not having an ignition interlock as required.

Williams was the registered owner of the vehicle driven and will be booked into the Adams County Jail.