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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Traffic stop leads to crash, pursuit and capture

A man who served three years in prison for stalking and witness tampering could be headed back there after he was arrested just after midnight following a police pursuit where he reportedly backed his vehicle into the patrol car of a Spokane Valley police officer. Gary L. Dodge, 43, eventually was arrested after ditching a 1995 Chevy Monte Carlo in downtown Spokane, following a vehicle pursuit that began on westbound Interstate 90 in Spokane Valley, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Chamberlin said. The incident began just after midnight when Spokane Valley police Officer Nathan Bohanek attempted to stop the Monte Carlo on I-90 near Park Road. As Bohanek approached the driver, he sped away from the traffic stop, Chamberlin said. Bohanek radioed the situation to dispatch and followed the Monte Carlo. The driver lost control on the off-ramp for Broadway Avenue and slid sideways into the shoulder. “Concerned for the safety of the motoring public … Bohanek attempted to pull in behind Dodge so he could not drive away,” Chamberlin said in a news release. Dodge then reversed, hitting Bohanek’s patrol vehicle which caused enough damage to prevent Bohanek from continuing the pursuit. Bohanek was not injured in the crash. With several other agencies alerted, officers found Dodge’s Monte Carlo running but unoccupied in the alley near Pittsburg Street and First Avenue. Deputy Jason Karnitz responded to the area and saw Dodge walking in an alley near his vehicle. Dodge ran, but Karnitz quickly caught him and took him into custody, Chamberlin said. Dodge was booked into the Spokane County Jail on the charges of first-degree assault, felony eluding, hit and run, two charges of drug possession, obstructing and driving on a suspended license. He also had active warrants from for escape from community custody, domestic violence assault and driving with a suspended license.