WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) issued a statement regarding an arrest made on May 18th following a spike strip deployment.
According to the statement, WCSO deputies were dispatched May 18th about 1:45am due to a report of a vehicle stopped in in the 800 block of Kelly Road. While a deputy was enroute, a second call came in reporting the same vehicle had driven into the oncoming lane in the 1100 block of Kelly Road and was stopped in the middle of the road in the 4800 block of Huntley Road.
The deputy arrived to find the suspect vehicle stopped such that it was taking up both lanes of travel and its engine was running. The driver appeared passed out with their head bent forward, eyes closed and breathing heavily. The vehicle was still in drive with the driver’s foot on the brake.
The deputy could see a bag of suspected narcotics and a shotgun in the front passenger seat.
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Click for more informationWhile waiting for other WCSO deputies to arrive, the deputy placed spike strips in front of the vehicle. After a few minutes, the driver woke up and drove off, running over the spike strips.
After deputies attempted to pull over the vehicle for approximately 4 and a half miles while 3 of vehicle’s tires were deflated from the spike strips, the driver was taken into custody.
The driver was identified as Daniel Szczygielski, age 37, of Bellingham.
Szczygielski admitted to using narcotics and having methamphetamine in the vehicle. He also acknowledged he had been passed out in the vehicle but claimed it was due to fatigue.
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Click for more informationA search of the vehicle located a shotgun, 140 suspected Fentanyl pills, 3.7 grams of methamphetamine, 30 Suboxone pills, various drug paraphernalia and approximately $435 cash.
Szczygielski is a convicted felon making it illegal for him to possess or purchase a firearm.
Szczygielski was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with the following crimes.
- attempting to elude a police vehicle
- driving under the influence
- possession of narcotic drug with intent to deliver
Szczygielski was also arrested under several outstanding warrants issued by the Sumas Municipal Court and the Lynden Municipal Court.
