Stolen car crashes into Spokane house early today

A woman driving a stolen Honda Accord crashed into a house on North Maple Street early this morning, Spokane police said. Rachel A. Banks, 24, will be charged with eluding police and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to a Spokane Police Department news release. After the crash Banks was taken by ambulance to a hospital and treated for minor cuts and abrasions. An officer driving north on the Maple Street Bridge spotted the Honda, which was missing a rear license plate, shortly after 2 a.m., police said. The officer turned on his overhead lights and siren in an attempt to stop the driver, who refused to pull over and accelerated at a high rate of speed, swerving around another vehicle on the bridge. The officer ended the pursuit out of concern for public safety, but he saw the suspect continue driving fast and swerving until the car disappeared over the crest of the hill past the bridge. When the officer reached the intersection of North Maple and W. Dean Avenue, he saw that the Honda had crashed into a residence. He found Banks trapped inside the car, and the Spokane Fire Department arrived to remove her from the wreckage. Police said the white, 4-door Accord was reported stolen on July 25.