WSP: Impaired driver backs into trooper’s vehicle

An impaired driver who fled law enforcement struck a trooper’s vehicle Saturday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol. Trooper Morgan Mehaffey was in pursuit of Luis M. Denobrega, a 24-year-old from Olympia, at 11:29 a.m. in Spokane Valley after he ran a red light and refused to pull over, according to a WSP news release. Denobrega was traveling northbound on Pines Road when he struck a vehicle at Indiana Avenue. After the collision, Denobrega continued northbound, turning east on Grace Avenue to Cherry Street with Mehaffey still in pursuit. Denobrega stopped, put his pickup truck in reverse and struck the front of Mehaffey’s car, the WSP said. Denobrega was taken into custody without further incident, according to a news release. The woman in the first collision suffered minor injuries. Mehaffey was not injured. Denobrega faces charges of driving under the influence, hit and run, felony eluding a law enforcement officer and second-degree assault, the WSP said.