Driver, with a Previous DUI Conviction, Arrested for DUI After a Near Head-on Crash

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a collision at the intersection of E. Wellesley and N. Harvard Road.  The driver of the involved black Jeep reportedly crossed over the centerline, almost causing a head-on crash with a silver Kia.  Fortunately, the driver of the Kia swerved, avoiding a head-on impact, causing the Jeep to strike the side of the Kia instead.  The driver of the Jeep, previously convicted of DUI in 2021, was arrested again for DUI. 

On August 18, 2024, at approximately 8:30 pm, Spokane County Deputies responded to a reported two-car crash at the intersection of E. Wellesley Avenue and N. Harvard Road.  

Upon arrival, deputies contacted the drivers and witnesses involved in the incident.

The adult female driver of the Kia said she and her two passengers were not injured.  She explained she was driving east on Wellesley and had just stopped for the stop sign at Harvard Road.  When she continued, she observed the black Jeep, driven by 27-year-old Nikolas A. Eaton, driving west, straight at her vehicle in the eastbound lane.   She swerved to avoid the head-on collision, but Eaton drove his Jeep into the side of her Kia, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.

A witness told Deputies that he and his passenger first observed the Jeep as they traveled west on Wellesley near Idaho Road.  He stated the Jeep repeatedly crossed well over the centerline as they drove westbound.  He tried to get close enough to get the Jeep’s license plate, but Eaton sped off, swerving all over the road.  

As they approached the intersection at Harvard, Eaton swerved across the centerline again and struck the rear driver’s side of an eastbound silver Kia.  He heard Eaton accelerate, but due to the extensive damage to the Jeep, Eaton couldn’t get very far.  He explained he thought Eaton was attempting to flee, so he stayed with Eaton until Deputies arrived.  

Eaton was not cooperative when Deputies contacted him.  He appeared angry, was slow to respond to questions, his speech was slurred, and he would only provide his first name while stating he didn’t have a license.  He declined medical treatment and said he wanted a lawyer.  

During the contact with Eaton, the Deputy noted that he could smell an obvious odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Eaton.  With this observation, along with Eaton’s slurred speech, delayed replies, and overall behavior, the Deputy developed probable cause to arrest Eaton for suspicion of DUI.  

The Deputy advised Eaton he was under arrest for DUI and instructed him to exit the Jeep, but Eaton refused.  With the assistance of a Liberty Lake Officer, Eaton was removed from his vehicle, although he continued to struggle and unsuccessfully avoid being handcuffed.  

The Deputy requested and was granted a search warrant to obtain a blood sample from Eaton for testing.   The Deputy also noted Eaton had a prior DUI conviction in 2021.

Eaton was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for DUI, where he remained when this information was provided.      

This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Driver, with a Previous DUI Conviction, Arrested for DUI After a Near Head-on Crash" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7