Quincy man arrested after lengthy pursuit, DUI suspected
Soap Lake Police Department/courtesy photo Soap Lake Police take a suspect into custody following a pursuit that stretched over 19 miles. The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed the vehicle into a power pole and concrete barrier.
SOAP LAKE — A Quincy man was arrested Sunday afternoon after allegedly leading authorities on a 19-mile pursuit that ended in a crash involving a power pole.
John Robert Sharp, 59, was booked into the Grant County Jail on charges of attempting to elude, reckless driving, operating a vehicle without an ignition lock, suspicion of driving under the influence (methamphetamine) and an outstanding Department of Corrections warrant.
Police attempted a traffic stop on Daisy Street Northeast and Second Avenue Northeast Sunday afternoon after Sharp allegedly failed to stop and signal at the intersection, according to police.
Sharp allegedly drove into parking lots and city streets in Soap Lake before leaving city limits on Road 20 Northeast, then reportedly continued down Road 20 before moving from paved roads to dirt roads at speeds more than 120 mph, police stated Sunday afternoon.
After Sharp allegedly drove through numerous dirt roads at over 80 mph, the pursuit spanned across Highway 28 into Wilson Creek. Sharp reportedly failed to negotiate a corner and crashed into a power pole and concrete barrier, authorities stated.
Sharp was captured after a brief foot pursuit. A passenger, Shane Higgins, was arrested by police but was later released.
The Washington State Patrol is handling the DUI portion of the case. Sharp was taken to Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata for blood analysis after a judge approved a search warrant. The results are currently pending.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is handling the crash involving a power pole.