FERNDALE/BELLINGHAM, Wash. — On October 5th, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched about 3:10pm to check the welfare of a person who appeared to be passed out in a pickup truck in the 5200 block of Olson Road in Ferndale.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by prosecutors in Whatcom County Superior Court, deputies arrived to find a Toyota Tacoma pickup with its engine running and parked on the shoulder of a private driveway. It was occupied by an adult who was slumped forward in the driver’s seat.
Deputies called out to the driver until he responded. He said he was napping while waiting for his girlfriend. Deputies reported he appeared pale with slurred speech. When informed he was under investigation for physical control of a vehicle while under the influence, drove away at a high rate of speed.
Deputies pursued with lights and sirens as they followed the pickup down Olson Road to Lampman Road, then Ulrich Road to Ferndale Road. Deputies lost sight of the pickup. It was later discovered on LaBounty Road doing about 60mph in a 25mph zone and passing in a no-passing zone. It turned onto Slater Road eastbound through a construction zone. An attempt to turn southbound onto Northwest Drive resulted in crashing into an innocent bystander’s vehicle in the northbound lane.
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The pickup driver then fled on foot and was apprehended several dozen feet from the pickup and placed in custody.
The innocent bystander was transported by aid personnel to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center with a possible neck injury. The driver of the pickup was also transported to the hospital.
The driver of the pickup was identified as Randy Alan Chandler, age 37. Chandler was booked into Whatcom County Jail and now faces 2 gross misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and knowingly possessing a controlled substance without a prescription and 2 felony charges of attempting to elude a police vehicle and vehicular assault while driving recklessly and causing substantial bodily harm.
Chandler was also wanted on a drug possession charge after he had been found passed out in the driver’s seat by Bellingham Police Officers on August 27th at about 7:45am according to another affidavit of probable cause. Officers reported numerous plastic drug bags were located around him. The car was seized and towed to the police impound while awaiting a search warrant. A search of the vehicle found methamphetamines and powder fentanyl along with plastic bags, spoons, a digital scale and $262 in cash.
As a result, Chandler also faces a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance in a separate court case.
As of October 21st, Chandler remained in custody at the Whatcom County Jail pending being able to post a $75,000 bond or $7,500 cash bail and a $50,000 bond or $5,000 cash bail in the other case.
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