Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
March 16, 2011
Contact:
Lieutenant Scott Martin
Phone:
(509) 925-2698
E-mail:
scott.martin@wsp.wa.gov
Pursuit in Moses Lake
A 40 year old Warden, WA man is dead after he attempted to elude police officers and collided with a cement irrigation structure.
On March15, 2011, at approximately 7:31 p.m., a WSP trooper stopped David Folden for a seatbelt violation on State Route 17 near Broadway in Moses Lake. When the trooper contacted the Mr. Folden, he could smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle. When the trooper advised Mr. Folden he was under arrest, Mr. Folden chose to flee the scene in his vehicle. Mr. Folden led the trooper and Grant County Sherriff’s deputies on a chase on rural roads south of Moses Lake. While attempting to elude officers, Mr. Folden was throwing marijuana and other items out of the window of the vehicle.
As the vehicle traveled east on Road 2 SE, he approached a “T” intersection at Road O SE. Mr. Folden attempted to turn south on Road R S.E., but lost control on the wet pavement and slid off the roadway, striking a cement irrigation structure. Shortly after the collision, Mr. Folden became unconscious. The trooper and deputies provided first aid until relieved by aid crews, but they were unable to resuscitate Mr. Folden and he died at the scene. While performing CPR, officers located a bag of suspected drugs inside Mr. Folden’s mouth. The cause of death is being investigated.
The State Patrol Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the pursuit and subsequent collision. Detectives would like to speak with anyone that either saw or heard anything during the chain of events. If you saw anything or know someone that did, please call Detective Sergeant Jerry Cooper at (360) 805-1192 of Detective Bob Schroeder at (360) 805-1194.