Folden died from drugs, not crash

MOSES LAKE - David Folden died from an overdose of methamphetamine after he crashed his truck while running from the Washington State Patrol.

The 40-year-old Warden man was reportedly fleeing from the state patrol on March 15, when he lost control on wet pavement and his 1992 Ford Ranger pickup struck a concrete irrigation structure.

Folden was removed from the pickup and fell unconscious. Officers and medical crew reported finding a bag of drugs in his mouth.

An autopsy and toxicology panel were conducted to test for drugs in his system.

"(The) cause of death is acute methamphetamine intoxication. Manner of death is accident," reported Kyle Forman, Grant County Emergency Management public information officer.

Folden was driving on state Route 17, near Broadway Avenue in Moses Lake, when a state trooper tried to stop him for an alleged seat belt violation, according to Lt. Scott Martin, of the Washington State Patrol. The trooper reported smelling marijuana when he approached the truck. Folden reportedly fled.

Grant County Sheriff's deputies joined the pursuit of Folden as he drove on roads outside of Moses Lake, reportedly throwing marijuana and other items out the window.

When Folden approached an intersection on Road 2 Southeast, he tried to turn south on Road R Southeast and lost control, said Martin. The pickup collided with a concrete irrigation structure.

"The trooper and deputies provided first aid until relieved by aid crews, but they were unable to resuscitate Mr. Folden and he died at the scene," Martin stated.