Grant County deputies penalized for accidents

EPHRATA — Two Grant County Sheriff's deputies were disciplined for wrecking patrol cars.

Deputy David De La Rosa received a written reprimand for reportedly falling asleep at the wheel of a patrol car and driving off of Dodson Road May 4, according to sheriff's office documents obtained by the Columbia Basin Herald.

The patrol vehicle stopped 200 feet from the roadway with damage to the vehicle front end, light bar and right front tire, according to the records.

Deputy Beau Lamens received a three-day suspension without pay for losing control of a patrol vehicle on a curve of Road 1 NW near Quincy June 3. Sheriff's office records indicate Lamens entered the curve, which has a posted recommended speed of 25 mph, at an unknown rate of speed and struck a road sign with the rear of the vehicle.

The patrol car sustained more than $2,500 in damage to the rear corner panel and bumper.

Neither deputies were injured in the accidents.

Both were investigated by the Washington State Patrol.

When a deputy is involved with an accident, Grant County Chief Deputy John Turley said the sheriff's office policy is to have an outside law enforcement agency investigate the incident while they conduct an internal investigation.

"It's standard operating procedure," said Turley. "We take each individual accident and judge it on its merits."

Accidents are rare for the sheriff's office when compared to the miles each deputy drives. Turley said deputies in the southern portion of Grant County can average of 200 to 250 miles per day.

"I used to average about 40,000 miles a year on my patrol vehicle," said Turley.

The discipline was the first for both deputies.

De La Rosa has served the sheriff's office for roughly a year, after serving eight years as a Royal City Police officer, said Turley.

"We were glad he laterally applied to work with us," said Turley. "He's been a good pick up for us. He's been very well received in the sheriff's office."

Lamens was hired from the Othello Police Department when De La Rosa was hired, according to Turley. He was working for Othello for several years before becoming a deputy.

"Since being here, he's done a pretty good job for us," said Turley. "He's a good kid."