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

Reckless driver causes damage to police vehicle

From staff reports
A driver fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle caused damage to a parked car and a police squad car early this morning. According to a release from the Spokane police, an officer spotted a white Honda Accord speeding, running red lights and cutting off other drivers in the downtown area around 3 a.m. When the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver sped away. The officer ran the license plate and discovered the vehicle was stolen. He briefly pursued the Accord but stopped when the driver’s actions became too dangerous, the release said. The officer saw the car crash into a parked car near West Fifth Avenue and South Cedar Street. The driver and one passenger fled on foot, the release said, and another officer caught the female passenger. A police dog was brought in to track the male driver, who was located on the roof of a garage about a block away. He was arrested there without incident. After the crash, the driver neglected to put the car in park, the release said, and the vehicle rolled down a hill into the pursuing officer’s squad car. No one was injured in either accident. The suspected driver, Tyler J. Sijohn, 22, was taken into custody on charges of reckless driving, attempting to elude, possessing a stolen vehicle, DUI, driving with a suspended license and obstructing. The suspected passenger, Melissa L. Racine, 21, was taken into custody on one charge of possessing a stolen vehicle.