SL man accused of trying to run over officers

SOAP LAKE — A Soap Lake man is accused of attempting to run over two Soap Lake officers during an incident last week.

Grant County prosecutors charged Kyle Simpson, 28, of Soap Lake, in Grant County Superior Court with two counts of second-degree assault, attempting to elude and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant. Prosecutors tacked on the aggravating circumstances of “crime against police officer” on each of the assault charges.

On Sept. 8 a Soap Lake Police Department officer responded to a report of a trespassing in progress in the 700 block of Main Avenue East. SLPD officer Nicholas Diaz was advised the suspect vehicle was parked in the back of a vacant home and the suspect went around the house a few times before going back to his vehicle, according to court documents.

Diaz made contact with the vehicle and suspect, alleged to be Simpson, who claimed his vehicle overheated so he pulled over and parked. Simpson allegedly went on to give the officer a false name and admitted to driving without a license. Diaz called for backup and Simpson closed the door to his car and got out his cellphone, claiming he was on the phone with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

“I advised him that it was fine for him to be on the phone but he was not free to leave. He then stated that he was free to leave. I advised him a few times that he was not free to leave. He then stated that he was free to leave and that I wasn’t really a police officer,” wrote Diaz.

SLPD Chief Ryan Cox arrived at the scene and was able to positively identify the suspect as being Simpson. Simpson was advised to step out of his vehicle, but he allegedly put the vehicle into drive and quickly accelerated.

“I then observed that Kyle forcefully slam(med) the vehicle’s shifter into gear and turn(ed) the steering wheel left quickly. This was in the direction of Officer Diaz and I. I then observed Kyle slam his foot down, causing the engine to rev high, and quickly move forward towards Officer Diaz,” wrote Cox. “I immediately thought that Kyle was attempting to run Officer Diaz over with the vehicle with the intent to kill him.”

Cox says he was forced to jump back to avoid getting hit by the vehicle. Simpson continued driving in the alleyway until coming to a dead end. He then ditched the car and took off running south toward First Avenue Southeast. Diaz was able to catch up with Simpson and gave him several commands to get on the ground before he was forced to use his Taser on the suspect. Diaz and Cox were able to gain control over Simpson after he was tased and arrested him.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.