New year brings more DUI arrests than last

Sheriff's office pursues suspect, Moses Lake Police car struck

MOSES LAKE — Authorities booked nine motorists into Grant County Jail for driving under the influence of alcohol over the New Year's holiday.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office added extra manpower to weekend patrols with reserve deputies, said Chief Deputy John Turley.

He said the number of DUI arrests appeared typical for the holiday.

On New Year's Day, Turley said deputies were busy with a number of other incidents, including assaults, hit and run accidents, drug arrests and a high speed chase.

The chase ended in arrest of the driver within the Larson subdivision. One Moses Lake Police vehicle was damaged in the pursuit, said Turley. Police believe alcohol was involved in the incident.

"The day shift on New Year's Day really had their hands full," he said.

The Washington State Patrol made 15 DUI arrests this weekend in North Central Washington, which includes Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Ephrata, Okanogan, and Ellensburg, said state trooper Rich Magnussen.

Last year, troopers made 11 DUI related arrests over the New Year's Day weekend for the NCW district, Magnussen said.

In the Basin, nine drivers were cited for drunken driving this year, matching nine DUI arrests made the previous holiday weekend, he said.

The patrol scheduled extra troopers to work overtime in a DUI emphasis operation using grant money from the state.

"The more eyes out there watching for drunk drivers the better," Magnussen said.