Crews gets trial date for narcotics charges
By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 16th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – A Walla Walla man who police said allegedly pointed a laser at a Life Flight Network helicopter in April was arraigned this week on unrelated charges. Mariel Angelo Crews, 37, is charged with possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and driving under the influence following a two-vehicle collision that happened on Feb. 18. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial is set for Aug. 30.
According to court documents, Crews was involved in a two-vehicle, blocking collision at South Palouse and East Birch streets on the morning of Feb. 18. The responding officer said Crews admitted he was distracted by his phone, which led to the head-on collision.
Crews also admitted to the officer that he took fentanyl about two hours before the collision. While waiting for both vehicles to be towed, Crews voluntarily performed a standardized field sobriety test which he did not pass. The officer placed Crews under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence.
When the officer searched Crews, more than $1,700 in cash was found in the front left pocket of his jeans. Then, while examining the exterior damage done to Crew’s vehicle from the collision, the officer could slightly see a tin foil package near the front passenger seat, and a torch lighter in the center console.
A search warrant was approved, and a backpack Crews was placing items into at the crash scene was found. It contained drug paraphernalia including around 30 fentanyl pills and nearly two grams of a white crystal rock which tested positive for methamphetamine.
As for possible charges related to the April 3 incident in which Crews allegedly pointed a laser at an air ambulance crew, the case has been referred to the Walla Walla City Attorney’s Office by the Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Walla Walla City Attorney Tim Donaldson said a charging decision has not yet been made.
The pilot reported the incident to Walla Walla Police who said this was not the first time someone in the vicinity of Providence St. Mary Medical Center had been reported of using a laser. A Walla Walla police officer happened to see Crews, who lives near the hospital, shine a laser at the hospital. Crews denied it at first, then later told police he did not know it was illegal. Pointing a laser at law enforcement, firefighters, school bus and transit drivers, pilots and aircraft is prohibited by law.
