Deputy collides with DUI suspect

MOSES LAKE — A Grant County Sheriff’s deputy crashed into the rear of a vehicle during a pursuit in Moses Lake.

Deputy Chris Kanoff saw a man operating a car on West Broadway Avenue without its headlights on Thursday night, Grant County Chief Deputy Courtney Conklin said. After watching the driver for a short period of time, the driver failed to turn on his lights, so Kanoff activated his emergency lights.

The driver of the vehicle reportedly pulled into the outside lane at West Broadway Avenue near Alder Street as though he was about to pull over, but instead traveled through a red light, Conklin explained.

There was light traffic in the area so the pursuit continued.

The deputy followed the suspect car reaching speeds of 40 to 50 mph as he drove through red lights at the Pioneer Way and Third Avenue intersection, Pioneer Way and Wheeler Road intersection and Wheeler Road and state Route 17 intersection, he said.

Once on Wheeler Road, the suspect driver turned on his hazard lights and allegedly continued reaching speeds of 50 to 60 mph. As the suspect approached Road L, he was traveling at about 90 mph, Conklin said. He reportedly turned onto Road L and continued traveling at about 60 mph until he turned onto Road 4 and nearly struck a Moses Lake Police Department patrol car, he added.

The driver apparently began circling through Dunn Street, Brad Street and Road 4, continually slowing, leading authorities to believe he was looking for a residence or somewhere to flee on foot to, Conklin explained.

Once back on Dunn Street, the suspect reportedly came to an abrupt stop and Kanoff’s Ford Crown Victoria patrol car struck the rear of the 1993 Pontiac Grand Am, Conklin said. The crash appeared unavoidable, he added.

After the collision, the pursuit stopped and a sheriff’s deputy and Moses Lake officer apprehended the suspect driver.

Carlos Peralta, 35, Warden, was arrested for felony eluding and DUI.

There were no injuries in the collision, Conklin said. The patrol car sustained about $4,000 worth of damage and was driven from the scene.

The Washington State Patrol is investigating the collision. Conklin explained an outside agency usually investigates collisions involving other police agencies.