Quincy man who jumped into Moses Lake identified Wednesday

MOSES LAKE - The Quincy man presumed dead after fleeing police and jumping into Moses Lake was identified Wednesday as Benjamin Patiño Nuñez.

Nuñez, 25, has not been found since allegedly running from police during a traffic stop on North Stratford Road about 3 p.m. Sunday morning on suspicion of DUI. Nuñez reportedly fled into the brush near the Alder fill and jumped into the water when responding officers attempted to cut him off along the shoreline, according to police reports.

Officers entered the water in an attempt to rescue Nuñez when it became obvious he was in distress but were unable to reach him due to the current and cold water temperatures, which made it too dangerous to continue. Nuñez reportedly attempted to swim to the dredge before going under the water. He was last seen about 100 yards from the shoreline. The depth of the water he was last seen is only about 5 feet.

Officers and sheriff's office search and rescue never saw Nuñez exit the water. His family reported him missing Wednesday.

The Moses Lake Fire Department has searched the shoreline throughout the week but have not found Nuñez. Fire Chief Tom Taylor and Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Ruffin were out again Wednesday, searching the shoreline from Cascade Valley to the dredge, and the area where Nuñez was last week. Recovery efforts are expected to continue Thursday and Friday, Taylor said.