Juveniles’ Joy Ride in Jeep Ends with Crash on N. Cook, Causing Considerable Damage to the Jeep, a Cement Wall, and a Utility Pole

Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies located three juveniles (14-male, 14-female, 12-female) after the driver wrecked the Jeep they had taken, without permission, into a utility pole and a cement wall.  The juveniles fled on foot but were quickly located and detained.  The two 14-year-olds were arrested and booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center for various crimes.  The 12-year-old was released to her parent.  

On August 21, 2024, at approximately 11:30 pm, a Spokane County Deputy traveling west on E. Wellesley, approaching N. Crestline, in her fully marked patrol car, observed a vehicle (2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee) traveling east at a high rate of speed.   

The Deputy, via radio, advised Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) of the reckless driver, gave her location as she activated her emergency lights, and turned around to catch up to the Jeep.  However, due to its speed, the Deputy could only get within approximately two blocks of the Jeep before it crashed into a utility pole, shearing it off, then slamming into a cement wall on the southeast corner of Wellesley and N. Cook Street.

The three juveniles fled south on foot as the Deputy arrived.  Additional Deputies assisted in checking the Jeep, but no one was inside.   After a short search, and with the help of people living in the area, the juveniles were found hiding in the backyard of a nearby residence and detained.  

All three were provided medical treatment at the scene and only appeared to have minor injuries.

During the subsequent investigation, Deputies determined the 14-year-old female was visiting the 12-year-old female at her house.  They decided to take the Jeep without permission to drive around.  The 14-year-old was driving the Jeep, which had been loaned to the 12-year-old’s mother by another family member.

They went to a park, picked up the 14-year-old male, and asked him to drive because they decided he was better at it.  The 14-year-old male began driving fast, but they didn’t know how fast.  He tried to turn on N. Cook at high speed but lost control and wrecked.  

They all claimed they did not see the marked patrol car, with its emergency lights activated, attempting to catch up to them. 

A bottle of prescription pills, not prescribed to the 14-year-old male, were found in his backpack and seized as evidence.  They also located nicotine pouches, an e-cigarette, a black facemask, and a credit card that was not issued under his name.  The credit card was not reported stolen, so Deputies seized it for safekeeping and further investigation.  

Deputies established probable cause to charge the 14-year-old female with Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission.

Deputies established probable cause to charge the 14-year-old male with Reckless Driving, Driving without a License, Hit and Run-Property Damage, Possession of a Legend Drug, and Possession of a Tobacco Product by a Minor.  

Deputies did not establish probable cause to charge the 12-year-old female, and she was released to a parent.  

The 14-year-old male and female were medically evaluated at a hospital before being booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center for the listed charges.           

This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Juveniles' Joy Ride in Jeep Ends with Crash on N. Cook, Causing Considerable Damage to the Jeep" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7