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

Driver fleeing stop bumped, arrested

A driver fleeing a traffic stop in Whitman County was forced off U.S. Highway 195 Friday morning in the vicinity of Hatch Road.

Trooper Troy Briggs of the Washington State Patrol said that a Whitman County deputy sheriff tried to pull over the driver for speeding south of Spokane, but the driver refused to stop. The chase started near Thornton with the deputy in pursuit.

Troopers laid spike strips in the northbound lanes near Spangle. The strips flattened one of the front tires, but the driver continued north. The incident occurred just after 8 a.m.

Officers caught up with the driver near Hatch Road just south of Spokane. One of the officers bumped the fleeing vehicle in a controlled maneuver that caused the vehicle to spin out and roll onto its side.

The driver, Beverly I. Devoe, 34, was arrested for eluding officers in two counties and was booked into Spokane County Jail. She also was cited for speeding, having an improperly attached license plate and driving with a suspended license. Additional charges are possible, said Whitman County Undersheriff Ronald Rockness.

Traffic was restricted around Hatch Road during the investigation.