Chopper helps track DUI driver

SPOKANE VALLEY – A man was arrested for driving recklessly and being under the influence after being tracked by an air support helicopter on June 30.

At approximately 11:25 pm, Spokane Valley Traffic Deputy V. McKenzie observed a dark-colored Mitsubishi pickup without a rear license plate and without lights. This was near the I-90 overpass on Sullivan according to a sheriff’s department press release.

According to reports, Deputy McKinzie turned around and stopped two vehicles behind the truck at a red light, traveling southbound on Sullivan at E. Broadway.  

The driver, later identified as Hayden R. Vox, accelerated rapidly as Deputy McKenzie pulled in behind the pickup records show.

The deputy reported their radar showed the truck accelerating past 60 mph in a 35-mph zone.    

The deputy activated his emergency lights and siren to catch up to Vox as he turned and went east on E. Valleyway Avenue the press release shows.  

Vox continued driving recklessly and passed a yielding vehicle according to reports.  

According to the press release Vox rapidly accelerated again. Deputy McKinzie notified dispatch of the attempted traffic stop for excessive speed, no lights, no visible license plate, and suspected DUI, due to Vox’s reckless driving behavior.

Reports show Vox turned north on Flora Rd. and then east on Alki, still refusing to pull over.

As Vox approached the truck stop at Barker Road at approximately 90 mph, Deputy McKenzie terminated the pursuit for safety since Vox was driving recklessly through a residential area according to reports. 

The press release shows the deputies and Liberty Lake police officers converged on the area to try and locate Vox.   Several patrol units saw the truck as it raced through the area but did not reengage in pursuit reports say.  

Records show Spokane Regional Air Support Unit’s Air 2, already up on a scheduled flight, located the running vehicle and began tracking it. This unit provided real-time information to the patrol units on the ground.

Near I-90 and the state line, deputies caught up to Vox as Air 2 needed to break away to refuel according to the report.  At Wellesley and Harvard, Deputy S. Turner successfully deployed spike strips popping Vox’s tires.   

On Harvard, north of Trent, Deputies followed the smoking truck until the roadway turned to gravel, where Vox tried to flee again according to reports. Deputies moved to block the vehicle and prevent escape.    

Vox climbed out of the passenger’s side of the vehicle and stumbled, appearing intoxicated, as he gestured with his arms and slurred his speech according to records.  

Reports show he failed to respond to commands and continued to act erratically, but deputies took him into custody without further incident.  

Vox admitted seeing the red and blue lights of the patrol car behind him and to drinking one alcoholic beverage according to records.  

Reports show Vox had bloodshot eyes and a faint odor of alcohol coming from his person.  During field sobriety evaluations, some indicators of impairment were observed.   At the conclusion, probable cause was established to believe Vox was driving under the influence and attempting to elude law enforcement.    

According to reports, a test showed Vox’s blood alcohol content at .050/.052 on the first sample and .043/.046 on the second.  According to law .020 is the legal limit.

Vox was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, a felony, and Driving Under 21 Consuming Alcohol or Cannabis.