Driver Passed Out in Middle of Road Arrested for DUI
A Spokane Valley Deputy, responding to an unrelated call for service, noticed a Toyota 4 Runner that was stopped and running in the southeast travel lane. The driver, and the only person in the vehicle, was unresponsive. Through the subsequent investigation, Deputies established probable cause to arrest the driver for DUI, and he was booked into jail.
On October 5, 2024, at approximately 12:55 am, a Spokane Valley Deputy noticed a blue Toyota stopped in the travel lane on E. Saltese Road, just south of the intersection with 16th Avenue. The Toyota was running with its headlights and taillights on, and exhaust was coming from the tailpipe.
The Deputy approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and observed the driver, later identified as 33-year-old Aleksey A. Karptsov, seated and slumped over in the driver’s seat. The Deputy requested additional units to assist.
Approximately six minutes later, an additional patrol unit arrived, and it was parked in front of the Toyota to prevent an escape. The original Deputy pulled his patrol car up to the rear bumper to block any escape to the rear and placed a set of spike stripes under the Toyota’s rear tire.
A third Deputy, a Traffic Enforcement Deputy, and a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) arrived, and they attempted to wake Karptsov. After approximately 30 seconds or more, with Deputies knocking on the window and announcing their presence, Karptsov woke but did not follow commands to turn the Toyota off. A Deputy eventually reached through the open window and turned the vehicle off.
Karptsov appeared disoriented as he looked around slowly, appearing not to comprehend what was happening. Deputies noted that Karptsov’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, and he swayed, nearly falling over as he stood up when he exited the vehicle. They also smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him, and his speech was slurred and lethargic.
Karptsov stated he was going home and seemed surprised when Deputies asked why he was parked in the middle of the road. He denied drinking alcohol or using any drugs, and he refused voluntary field sobriety evaluations.
With probable cause established, Deputies arrested Karptsov for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs. Karptsov refused to submit to a breath test or the opportunity to speak with legal counsel.
Deputies applied for and were granted a search warrant to obtain a blood sample from Karptsov. After obtaining a blood sample for later testing, Karptsov was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for DUI.
On the evening of October 5, 2024, Karptsov was released on his own recognizance by the courts.
Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident. However, incidents like this are 100% avoidable, but they unfortunately continue to happen far too often, risking the suspect’s life and all the other unsuspecting motorists on our roads. PLEASE get a ride, and don’t drive while impaired.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Driver Passed Out in Middle of Road Arrested for DUI" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7