VIDEO Clip can be viewed on the Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel or Facebook page.
Impaired, At-Fault Driver Runs in Front of Spokane Valley Police Precinct
After a Crash and Challenges Deputy to Fight
A suspected impaired driver fled from the scene after hitting the rear of a victim’s vehicle with his motorcycle. A Spokane Valley Deputy leaving the Spokane Valley Police Precinct observed a male matching the suspect’s description walking on the sidewalk in front of the police station and attempted to contact him. The suspect was uncooperative, but after an ineffective Taser deployment and with the assistance of additional Deputies, the suspect was arrested and later booked into jail.
On November 13, 2024, at approximately 3:35 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a reported car/motorcycle collision on E. Sprague Avenue and N. McDonald Road. Deputies were advised that as Spokane Valley Firefighters arrived at the crash scene, the motorcycle’s at-fault driver ran away, and a description was provided over the radio.
Almost immediately, a Deputy, leaving the precinct, advised that he was out with a male who matched the suspect’s description on the sidewalk. The Deputy activated the emergency lights of his fully marked patrol car as he pulled up to the suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Kevin C. Arkell. Arkell looked back at the patrol car and continued to walk westbound. The Deputy told Arkell to stop several times, but he ignored the commands. Arkell turned toward the Deputy and began yelling, challenging the Deputy to fight. He removed his jacket and dropped it on the ground while placing one of his hands behind his back before aggressively walking toward the Deputy.
The Deputy drew his Taser, pointed it at Arkell, activated its laser aiming system, and ordered him to the ground before advising Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Dispatchers of the situation. Upon seeing the Taser and additional Deputies arriving to assist, Arkell picked up his coat, turned, and began running away with Deputies pursuing him.
Arkell threw his jacket, hitting the Deputy, then turned, lowered his center of gravity, and slammed into the Deputy before running away. The Deputy deployed his Taser, but it did not have the desired effect. A second Deputy attempted to grab Arkell but could not maintain his grasp. Arkell ran but suddenly tripped and fell to the ground. Although Arkell continued to tense up and resist, Deputies quickly gained control and took Arkell into custody.
As the investigation continued, Deputies could smell an overwhelming odor of alcohol coming from Arkell, leading to the belief that he was impaired. Later, Arkell provided breath samples, which showed a reading of .301 and .300, over three and a half times the legal limit of .08.
Arkell was medically cleared at the scene and transported and booked into the Spokane Jail for Assault 3rd Degree, Hit-and-Run, Property Damage, DUI, Operating a Vehicle without an Interlock Device, and Resisting Arrest.
At his court appearance the following day, Spokane Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz set his total case bond at $5,000, and he remains in custody.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "VIDEO: Impaired, At-Fault Driver Runs in Front of Spokane Valley Police Precinct" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7