BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper attempted to stop a vehicle heading northbound on I-5 north of the Bakerview Road interchange just before midnight last night. The vehicle was reported to have driven through a construction zone doing over 100mph with workers present according to WSP Trooper Rocky Oliphant.
When the vehicle attempted to elude the trooper, it crashed at the Slater Road off-ramp and rolled ending up on its side. There was a total of 3 occupants in the vehicle and 2 passengers were apprehended quickly but the driver fled on foot.
A K9 track was performed that located the driver and he was placed into custody without incident according to Oliphant.
The subsequent investigation revealed the vehicle had been stolen. After a search warrant was obtained, a search of the vehicle uncovered a firearm inside.
The driver, identified by Oliphant as Brian John Quinata, age 53, was booked into Whatcom County Jail by WSP charged with suspicion of the following crimes.
- 3rd degree driving while his license was suspended
- Attempting to elude a police vehicle
- Driving under the influence
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Reckless endangerment
- Possession of a stolen vehicle
- Taking a motor vehicle without permission
Quinta was sentenced in Whatcom County Superior Court on March 15th after pleading guilty to felony charges of theft of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a payment instrument and bail jumping. The court waived imposing a sentence using the standard range, instead sentencing him to a total of 24 months community custody dependent on him entering and remaining in a residential chemical dependency treatment for 3 to 6 months.
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