September 23, 2009 in News, City

Police sergeant faces DUI in crash

Sara Leaming The Spokesman-Review

A Spokane police sergeant was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Wednesday and may face additional hit-and-run charges.

Bradley N. Thoma, 44, was cited for suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and released, following a hit-and-run crash at Newport Highway and Farwell Road about 5 p.m., said Sgt. Dave Reagan, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

The victim, Sherry L. Prickett, 51, of Spokane, was stopped at a red light on Farwell when her Ford Ranger was rear-ended by a Dodge Ram pickup driven by Thoma, officials said.

Prickett, who was not injured, and another witness followed Thoma as he fled east on Farwell to Market and turned north. Prickett and the witness told authorities that the Dodge crossed the centerline and drove onto the shoulder of the roadway numerous times.

Deputies stopped Thoma at Market and Highway 206, and he was released to the Washington State Patrol for processing as a DUI suspect, Reagan said. Hit-and-run charges will be sent to the Spokane County prosecutor for consideration.

It was unknown Wednesday what disciplinary action Thoma could face, said Jennifer DeRuwe, police spokeswoman. Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick planned to address the issue this morning, DeRuwe said.

Thoma, a veteran of the department, was stabbed in the jaw in January after an off-duty confrontation with a group of males harassing another officer’s friends outside the Steam Plant Grill downtown. In 1991, he was among the officers involved in a northeast Spokane gunbattle that left a bystander dead. He was cleared by a jury of any wrongdoing in that incident.

12 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

sassyblondeinwa on September 23 at 11:06 p.m.
oh great we let crazies walk the street and our police drink and drive. . … spokane just a great place to raise a family.
Scoutster on September 23 at 11:13 p.m.
Well, here goes…
Now we get to move on from that whole Eastern State Hospital/Insane Killer thing.
Whew..I was getting so last week about that.
spokanada on September 23 at 11:13 p.m.
wouldn’t it be ironic if we let them go for murder, attempted murder, and assault, but lock them up for a DUI?
spokanada on September 23 at 11:35 p.m.
not only did he commit the DUI he proceeded to use bad judgement and show complete disregard for the law by driving away and commiting a hit and run.
I find it frustrating that only reason I have to obey the law is because I don’t carry a badge.
PlanB on September 23 at 11:44 p.m.
I am now committed to becoming a Spokane police officer so I can break any and all laws and receive complete impunity.
Rifleman_Dodd on September 24 at 12:11 a.m.
Reckless driving, DUI, Felony hit and run..and they charge him with a misdemeanor and let him go.
I wanna be an SPD
So I can DUI
Drive like a nut
and kiss’ the chief’s butt.
Let me guess paid adminstrative leave…a REWARD for being bad. I’d fire the guy the moment he came in the door in the morning.
NOTE: No BAC was reported. I wonder why.
Drinking at 5 pm is a good start for the night.
Goes to show that some cops go out “bar hopping” like Thoma and others like Thompson like to go “Night Clubbing”. Was Thoma out with Jay Olsen kicking up a storm?
lewis8457 on September 24 at 12:48 a.m.
the county prosecutor is supposed to file charges well we all know that isn’t going to happen. Well i know for a fact they are allowed to drive at high speeds in their personnel cars why not drunk too?
disgusting
garfnagn on September 24 at 6:35 a.m.
Ms. Prickett’s pickup lunged at Sgt. Thoma’s.
SpokaneIsFun on September 24 at 8:02 a.m.
Drunk driving, hit and run, and RELEASED? I don’t understand. There has been too many incidents in this department. Time for the citizens to demand a complete change.
Rifleman_Dodd on September 24 at 9:19 a.m.
OMG
Voted BEST posting of the day.
garfnagn on September 24 at 6:35 a.m.
Ms. Prickett’s pickup lunged at Sgt. Thoma’s.
How come I hear the theme song of Dukes of Hazzard in the background?
BT on September 24 at 12:14 p.m.
All I can say is interesting..I wonder when the FBI will be investigating how the city’s ran?
spokelooneh on September 25 at 12:45 a.m.
Cop in Spokane given preferential treatment in the commission of a crime by fellow LEOS?
Shocked, I’m shocked I say.