Hit-and-run suspect allegedly under the influence of alcohol

EPHRATA — A Snohomish man arrested for leaving a serious injury collision Monday and later caught breaking into vehicles at a Moses Lake truck stop was reportedly drinking heavily.

Jered L. Vandenbosch, 21, allegedly told police he didn’t remember crashing a stolen vehicle into a car on Interstate 90 about 7 p.m. Monday. The crash left Gloria M. Rodriguez, 66, and Olga M. Hernandez, both of Moses Lake, seriously injured. Rodriguez was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake and Hernandez, who reportedly suffered a spinal injury, was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for surgery, according to police reports.

Vandenbosch allegedly fled the scene of the crash and likely hitchhiked near Ernie’s Truck stop on Kittleson Road in Moses Lake. About 7:15 p.m., the Hilltop Conoco reported a man, identified as Vandenbosch, stole some chips and juice and left. About 15 minutes later, he reportedly was seen breaking into at least two semi-trucks parked at Ernie’s. Police were called about 9:15 p.m. when Vandenbosch allegedly broke into another truck, and attempted to steal it. A witness reportedly grabbed and held Vandenbosch until police arrived. The truck was found running and in gear but Vandenbosch, who told police he had never driven a semi-truck, could not figure out how to disengage the air brakes, according to police reports.

Vandenbosch allegedly admitted he was attempting to steal the truck and during a search, police reportedly found several credit cards and a cellphone stolen from a different truck, according to police reports.

During the investigation, Vandenbosch told police he drank 30 beers sometime before the crash, and did not remember the incident or the alleged vehicle breakins. Vandenbosch reportedly had injuries to his face and blood and dust on his shirt when he was arrested.

Before the I-90 crash, the State Patrol received a report of an erratically driven vehicle heading west, believed to be driven by Vandenbosch. He reportedly stopped at a rest area and asked someone how far it was to Seattle from the rest area, according to police reports.

Vandenbosch reportedly stole the vehicle involved in the crash from a family member’s home in Spokane earlier in the day. The family member told police Vandenbosch is a recovering heroin addict and has a history of theft. The family member was out walking her dog when Vandenbosch reportedly stole the car.

Prosecutors charged Vandenbosch with possession of a stolen vehicle, making false statements and hit-and-run with aggravated circumstances including excessive injuries. He is set to appear in court Tuesday.