Deputies Arrest Suspected Impaired, Hit-and-Run Driver, Followed by Witnesses

Spokane Valley Deputies, responding to a reported injury, hit-and-run collision, learned that concerned witnesses followed the running driver.  Deputies arrived and took the suspect into custody, later charging him with felony Hit-and-Run with Injury and DUI.  The driver of the victim vehicle, which had rolled onto its side in the middle of the intersection due to the impact, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was provided medical treatment.     

On October 16, 2024, at approximately 2:20 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a reported hit-and-run, injury collision at the intersection of E. Appleway Avenue and N. Corbin Road.  

Soon after, additional callers who witnessed the crash said they followed the fleeing suspect and were with him on S. Steen Road, near the Appleway Trail.    

Deputies arrived at the collision scene and the location where the witnesses were with the suspect.  

The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Tyler L. Adams, was detained by Deputies pending the investigation.  At that time, Adams was emotional and spouting utterances like, “I am sorry.  This is all my fault.”  Deputies noted Adams’ eyes were bloodshot and watery, his speech was slurred, and they could smell a strong odor of intoxicants as he spoke.  Adams was advised of his rights and declined to answer further questions.  

Witnesses stated the adult male victim driver, who had stopped at the red light, was traveling east on Sprague, which turns into Appleway Avenue at N. Corbin Road.  When his light turned green, he proceeded into the intersection to continue east on Appleway.  Adams, driving a silver Cadilac, was westbound on Sprague Avenue at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for the red light at the intersection and crashed into the passenger side of the victim’s Chevrolet Suburban, causing it to flip on its side.   Instead of stopping, Adams fled west on Sprague and turned south on Steen, where witnesses that followed contacted him.      

The victim driver sustained what appeared to be minor injuries (minor lacerations and pain to his arm) and was provided medical attention.  

Adams sustained abrasions/lacerations to his forehead and complained of pain.  He was transported to the hospital for additional treatment and evaluation.  

Suspected of being impaired, Deputies obtained a search warrant for a blood sample from Adams to be tested later.  

After being medically cleared, Adams was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for felony Hit-and-Run with Injury and DUI.  

This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Deputies Arrest Suspected Impaired, Hit-and-Run Driver, Followed by Witnesses" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7