Nespelem man injured in Okanogan County car crash while fleeing police, investigators say

A 41-year-old Nespelem man was airlifted from the scene of a crash Friday night after fleeing police in Okanogan County, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Jeremiah Wippel was traveling north on State Route 155 near Elmer City when the Pontiac coupe he was driving struck a guard rail and left the roadway just before 10 p.m. Friday, flipping on its top, according to a news release from the WSP. Wippel was not wearing a seat belt and was speeding, according to investigators. Drugs and alcohol are believed to have been a factor, according to the WSP.

Wippel was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center, the release said. The hospital said he wasn’t in their care as of Saturday afternoon.