Police chase ends with man's death

MOSES LAKE - David Folden died from injuries sustained in a wreck while he was reportedly fleeing police Tuesday night.

The 40-year-old Warden man was driving his 1992 Ford Ranger pickup on state Route 17, near Broadway Avenue in Moses Lake, when a state trooper stopped him for an alleged seat belt violation, according to Lt. Scott Martin, of the Washington State Patrol.

The trooper reported he could smell a strong marijuana odor and began to arrest Folden, when Folden allegedly drove away.

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 of a car window.

"We got some samples, but we didn't get all of it. It was marijuana," Martin said.

When Folden approached an intersection on Road 2 Southeast, he allegedly turned south on Road R Southeast and lost control of the pickup on wet pavement, said Martin.

The pickup collided with a concrete irrigation structure.

"Shortly after the collision, Mr. Folden became unconscious," Martin stated. "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."

Officers and the medical crew reportedly found a bag of drugs inside of Folden's mouth, he added.

Folden was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, according to the state patrol.

The cause of death is being investigated by Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison. An autopsy was conducted but results are pending the completion of a toxicology report.

The state patrol Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the pursuit and wreck.

Investigators are looking for witnesses to the pursuit and asks them to call Detective Sgt. Jerry Cooper at 360-805-1192 and Schroeder at 360-805-1194.