Short vehicle pursuit ends with arrest
By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 1st, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – A Dayton man was arrested Tuesday night following a short vehicle pursuit that began at the College Place Walmart and ended in front of the Walla Walla Police Department. At 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, the College Place Police Department responded to Walmart for reports of an individual who appeared to be possibly suffering from a drug-induced psychosis.
Officers arrived and contacted Eric Vedder, the individual in question. For nearly 30 minutes, officers pleaded with him to receive medical and mental health care based on his state of mind. While on scene, officers had been informed Vedder was driving recklessly on Highway 125 with his door open moments earlier. Based on that information and observations at Walmart consistent with stimulant drug use, officers report they were under the impression Vedder was under the influence of intoxicants.
During the conversation with officers, Vedder turned and ran to his vehicle and drove out of the Walmart parking lot at a high rate of speed, ignoring officer’s commands to stop.
The College Place Police Department reports that officers requested and were granted approval by their supervisor to continue pursuing Vedder, as current state law allows officers to pursue a vehicle if they have reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence of intoxicants. According to Public Information Officer Sgt. Dylan Schmick, Vedder was followed until he came to a stop in front of the Walla Walla Police Department where he was taken into custody without incident.
Vedder was transported to Providence St. Mary Medical Center where a warrant was applied for and granted for an evidentiary blood draw. While at the hospital, Vedder was put in touch with members of the local crisis response team. He was then booked into the Walla Walla County Jail on charges of driving under the influence, attempting to elude a police vehicle, obstructing a law enforcement officer and third-degree driving with a suspended license.
