Warden police car in Othello accident

OTHELLO – A 2-car crash here on Nov. 2 involving a Warden police car resulted in injury to a young Othello woman.

Skylar M. Reichert, 19, received non-life threatening injuries, according to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones, and was taken to Othello Community Hospital.

The Warden Police Officer, Jose Navarro, 37, of Sunnyside was not injured.

According to Jones, the noon-time accident occurred after Navarro chased a vehicle on the highway between Warden and Othello and then through Othello. ?

The incident unfolded after Navarro stopped the car in Warden around noon. It was driven by a man with a suspended license.

The suspect fled in his vehicle, Jones said, and Navarro chased the car several miles into Othello. Navarro's police car then collided with Reichert's vehicle on 14th Street. The fleeing suspect got away and is being sought by police.

Neither Jones nor the Washington State Patrol revealed which vehicle had the right of way. The Washington State Patrol is investigating.

According to the WSP, neither drugs nor alcohol were involved. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

Navarro's 2006 Ford Crown Victoria and Reichert's 1999 Ford Explorer were towed from the scene.

The Warden Police Department patrol vehicle was northbound on 14th Ave., approaching Main Street when the accident occurred. Reichert was eastbound on Main Street.

The police car struck Reichert's vehicle on the driver side door.