Not Wearing a Seatbelt Leads to Traffic Stop and Criminal Violations 

A Spokane Valley Deputy noticed the driver and passenger of a vehicle were not wearing their seatbelts.  He conducted a traffic stop and learned there was a valid Domestic Violence Order of Protection prohibiting the driver from being within 1000’ of the protected person, the passenger.  He also found the driver’s driving privileges were suspended/revoked, and he did not have an ignition interlock device installed as required.  He was arrested for the Domestic Violence Order of Protection Violation (DVOPV), Driving While Suspended and Driving w/o an Ignition Interlock Device Installed.  

On August 3, 2024, at approximately 7:45 am, a Spokane Valley Deputy observed a red Honda Fit near the intersection of S. Park Road and E. Appleway Avenue.  He watched the male driver and female passenger slowly reach for their seatbelts and put them on when they noticed the Deputy’s patrol vehicle.   

The Deputy conducted a traffic stop at E. Spear Avenue and S. Park Road, explained the reason for the stop, and asked for their ID. 

The male driver seemed hesitant, but he was eventually identified as 34-year-old Benjamin D. Gambill by his Washington State ID card.  Having seen this hesitant behavior before, the Deputy asked Gambill if he had warrants for his arrest.  Gambill explained that there was a Domestic Violence Order of Protection prohibiting him from contacting the adult female passenger.

Gambill was asked to step out of the vehicle and advised of his rights.  While he did, the Deputy ran his name via radio.  He was informed Gambill’s driving privileges were suspended/revoked, he was required to have an ignition interlock device installed if driving, and there was a valid protection order prohibiting him from being within 1000’ of the passenger.   Gambill was handcuffed, and the Deputy spoke with the female passenger.    

She explained she was willingly in the vehicle with Gambill and that they intended to get the protection order dropped but hadn’t yet.  

A review of the protection order confirmed it was valid and prohibited Gambill from knowingly being within 1000’ of the female. 

Gambill was advised he was under arrest for violating the protection order (DVOPV), Driving While Suspended/Revoked, and Driving without an Ignition Interlock Device Installed as required.  He was booked into the Spokane County Jail for the charges.   During probable cause review over the weekend, Spokane County District Court Judge J. Fassbender set his total case bond at $1,500.  Gambill posted bond on the morning of August 5, 2024, and he was released from custody.      

This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Not Wearing a Seatbelt Leads to Traffic Stop and Criminal Violations" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7